Food Sources Of Triglycerides

Keeping triglycerides in check is as important as watching your cholesterol levels. Calories that the body doesn't need right away are converted into triglycerides, which are stored in the fat cells of the body. Hormones help to release these triglycerides when energy is needed between meals, according to MayoClinic.com. If your body has too many triglycerides, they are not released and remain in the fat cells; this increases your risk of heart disease. Stay clear of foods high in triglycerides to help lower your risk.

Fats

MayoClinic.com suggests eliminating trans fat that can be found in fried foods, cookies, crackers, pies, muffins and snack cakes. Any food label that lists partially hydrogenated oil contains trans fat and triglycerides. Saturated fats commonly found in meat, such as hamburger and bacon, are high in triglycerides. Other fatty foods include chips, ice cream, chowders, sausage, chorizo, kielbasa and sandwich meats. Triglycerides can be found in fried chicken, French fries, chicken pot pie and onion rings.

Sugars

Simple carbohydrates found in sugary and refined foods can increase triglycerides. Beverages such as cola, fruit drinks, lemonade and iced tea can be high in sugar. Candy, chocolate, maple syrup, gum, jelly, pudding, cakes and even frozen yogurt have simple sugars which can raise your triglyceride levels. Foods like honey, molasses, yogurt, yams and beans can contribute to triglyceride levels as well.

Starch

Starchy foods break down into sugars in the body, adding to triglyceride levels. Foods such as highly refined breads, crackers, pasta, rice, noodles and potatoes, when stored in the body too long, convert to triglycerides. When energy is slowly released into the body, it is less likely to create extra triglycerides. Increased intakes of starchy foods, such as rolls, bagels, hot and cold cereals can increase triglyceride levels. Refined foods, starches that break down into sugar not easily turned into energy, will have the words "bleached" or "enriched" in the ingredient list.

Alcohol

Alcohol contains extra calories. Extra calories in the body convert into triglycerides. The Cleveland Clinic claims alcohol is a significant contributor to elevated triglyceride levels.