High cholesterol increases your risk for cardiovascular disease --- a leading cause of death in the U.S., according to the American Heart Association. Cholesterol is produced by your body and present in certain foods. In addition a healthy diet, limited in foods that increase your low-density lipoprotein, or LDL, the "bad" cholesterol or decrease your high-density lipoprotein, or HDL, the "good" cholesterol, the American Heart Association recommends less than 300mg of dietary cholesterol per day or less than 200mg per day if you have heart disease or high cholesterol. For best results, seek guidance from a qualified professional.
Red Meat
Most red meat, or meat that derives from mammals and some fowl, contains high amounts of dietary cholesterol. For example, 3 oz. of cooked beef liver or byproducts contains roughly 324mg of cholesterol, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture -- an amount surpassing your recommended daily allowance. Other meats high in cholesterol include all organ meats, ground beef, beef fat, steak, roast beef, lamb, sausage, bacon and veal. High-cholesterol, meat-based dishes include beef stroganoff, beef stew, hamburgers, cheeseburgers, veal Parmesan, pepperoni or sausage pizza and barbecued beef.
Poultry
While chicken and turkey breast meat are low in cholesterol, dark-meat poultry, poultry fat and poultry skin contain significant amounts. One chicken liver, for example, contains approximately 110mg of cholesterol. Chicken and turkey giblets, neck meat, thighs and wings also contain cholesterol, as do ground and fried chicken and turkey meat. Deep-fried poultry and poultry served with skin-on contain more cholesterol, fat and calories than similar cuts of poultry grilled in light oil or baked and served without the skin. High-cholesterol dishes containing chicken include stir-frys made with dark-meat poultry, turkey and chicken sausage, chicken Parmesan and fried chicken.
Dairy Products
Dairy products, other than fat-free and low-fat varieties, can also exacerbate your cholesterol levels. According to the American Heart Association, butter, whole milk, 2 percent milk, cream and other foods and beverages made with high-fat milk are significant sources of dietary cholesterol. For example, 1 cup of sweetened condensed milk provides 104mg of cholesterol. French toast prepared with 2 percent milk provides roughly 75mg of cholesterol per slice. Other dairy-based foods containing significant cholesterol content include milkshakes, ice cream, cheddar and Brie cheese, cheese-topped pizza, butter, Alfredo sauce, nachos, cheese sauces and dips, and creamy, full-fat salad dressings.
Eggs
Chicken eggs are high in cholesterol and can worsen your cholesterol levels, according to Mayo Clinic cardiologist, Thomas Behrenbeck, M.D. Because all of the cholesterol in an egg -- approximately 213mg -- is in the yolk, consuming egg whites without the yolks can help keep your daily cholesterol levels in check. High-cholesterol egg dishes include omelets and fast food breakfast sandwiches containing fried or scrambled eggs.
