High cholesterol levels are not due to the amount of fat that you eat, but more the type of fat that you eat, according to the Harvard School of Public Health. The good fats are unsaturated fats--found in sources such as olive oil, salmon and avocados. The bad fats are saturated and trans fats. Foods with these types of fats raise your LDL cholesterol levels and increase your risk of heart disease and stroke.
Prepared Baked Goods
More often than not, commercially prepared baked goods contain trans fatty acids, or trans fats. Harvard School of Public Health reports that trans fats are one of the leading substances that raise LDL cholesterol levels. Most of these products use partially hydrogenated vegetable oils, which preserves food to give it a longer shelf life. According to Harvard School of Public Health, trans fats tend to lower good HDL cholesterol levels while raising LDL levels. Harvard researchers say that trans fats also cause inflammation in the body, which increases your risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes.
Fast Food
Though convenient, fast food can be full of saturated fat, according to PCRM.com, the website for the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine. They report that some of the kids' meals in fast food establishments register with fat values upwards of 37 g and can contain 1,800 mg of sodium.
Macaroni and Cheese
Macaroni and cheese can be loaded with saturated fat, according to all-about-lowering-cholesterol.com. The milk, butter and cheese in macaroni and cheese makes this meal a cholesterol deal buster. There are ways to lower the fat levels and still enjoy this infamous comfort recipe, such as by using nonfat or 1 percent milk, low-fat cheese or evaporated milk instead of butter.
Red Meat
High-fat red meats, such as rib-eye steak, are full of cholesterol-raising saturated fat, notes the Mayo Clinic's website. If you are partial to red meat, the website suggests sticking to lean varieties, such as tenderloin or flank, and eating it only in moderation.
Ice Cream
The Mayo Clinic's website reports that high-fat dairy products, such as ice cream, are also high in saturated fat and can raise LDL cholesterol levels. If you enjoy ice cream, try soy or rice based versions that are not dairy-based, or you can make ice cream from scratch at home using nonfat or low-fat dairy products to greatly reduce the amount of saturated fat.
