Bad cholesterol is called low-density lipoprotein, or LDL, and having high levels of this type of cholesterol can increase your risks of cardiovascular disease. Certain foods are especially high in bad cholesterol, and consuming large quantities of these foods can lead to dangerous plaque buildup in your arteries. If you're concerned about your LDL levels, talk with your doctor before making any drastic changes to your diet.
Meats
Meats contain saturated fats that can increase your bad cholesterol levels, says the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Fatty meats contain the most saturated fat and are the worst type of meats for your LDL levels. Beef, veal, pork and poultry with the skin on are also high in saturated fat, notes the University of Michigan Health System. Organ meats like liver can raise your bad cholesterol, but lean cuts of meat, skinless poultry and fish are healthier alternatives that aren't bad for your LDL level. In fact, eating fish instead of fatty meats can not only lower your bad cholesterol, but it can also increase your good cholesterol or high-density lipoprotein, or HDL, levels, according to a 1992 study published in the "Journal of Nutritional Medicine." Limiting your consumption of saturated fats from meats is a major component of the Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes, and TLC, diet, which aims to reduce your cholesterol levels.
Dairy Products and Eggs
Like meats, other animal-derived foods also contain saturated fats that can increase your LDL levels, according to the University of Michigan Health System. Egg yolks contain high amounts of cholesterol, along with full-fat milk, cheeses and other dairy products. Eating more than two egg yolks per week could impact your bad cholesterol levels, but egg whites and egg substitutes don't affect your bad cholesterol, says the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Most cheeses and whole or 2 percent milk are bad for your LDL levels, but low-fat cheeses, cottage cheese, nonfat or 1 percent milk and other nonfat dairy products aren't harmful.
Processed Snack Foods
Many snack foods and commercial baked goods contain trans fatty acids, which are harmful to your cholesterol levels, MayoClinic.com says. Fried foods, store-bought cookies, muffins, donuts and cakes, some crackers, and shortening all often contain trans fats. Trans fats are also called partially hydrogenated vegetable oils and are most often found in higher amounts in processed snack foods and some other packaged foods, notes the University of Michigan Health System. Although trans fats are found naturally in animal-derived foods like meats and dairy, the form found in processed foods appears to be even more harmful to LDL level. To avoid trans fats, don't eat fried foods or commercial snacks and baked goods containing trans fat, and instead eat low-fat crackers and whole grain products, advises the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
Tropical Oils
Certain tropical oils like palm and coconut oils contain saturated fats that raise your cholesterol levels, says the University of Michigan Health System. Butter, certain margarines and animal-fat oils also contain bad cholesterol. Replace these oils with olive, corn or soybean oils that contain unsaturated fats, recommends the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Also look for plant-based margarines.
