If you have high cholesterol levels, you may be at greater risk for suffering from a heart attack or stroke, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. See your doctor to have your cholesterol checked if you think your levels may be high. Your doctor can prescribe medication or give you diet advice to help lower your cholesterol levels. While many meats are high in saturated fat and cholesterol, you can still eat meat by making healthy choices.
Lean Beef
You can continue to eat beef even if you have high cholesterol, according to Discovery Health. Choose lean cuts of meat such as sirloin, round or chuck. Look for cuts that don't have much fat marbled throughout the meat. If you are cooking with ground beef, ask the butcher for the leanest variety available. Avoid prepackaged, processed beef and organ meats to lower your cholesterol levels.
Fish
Eating fatty fish is one of the best dietary choices you can make if you have high cholesterol, according to MayoClinic.com. Fatty fish have high levels of heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids. By eating plenty of omega-3 acids, you can lower your blood pressure and reduce your risk of having a heart attack or stroke. Aim for two servings of fatty fish per week to help your overall heart health. Fatty fish include tuna, salmon, mackerel, sardines and halibut.
Poultry
Low-fat poultry meats are a good choice if you suffer from high cholesterol. Stick to choices that are lower in fat, such as chicken and turkey, and avoid higher-fat birds such as goose and duck. You can leave the skin on your poultry while cooking it, but for the best heart-healthy meal, remove the skin from your poultry before you eat.
Other Meats
If you have high cholesterol, you can still eat pork, as long as you choose lean cuts. Ask your butcher for pork tenderloin or loin chops to cut back on fat and cholesterol in your meals. You can also enjoy lamb by choosing cuts from the loin, arm or leg.
