Your body produces cholesterol that aids in the production of hormones and vitamin D. Cholesterol also aids in digestion. Although cholesterol is beneficial to normal body function, too much cholesterol is bad for your health. Aside from the cholesterol your body makes, you also get cholesterol from certain foods. A zero cholesterol diet can prevent you from eating cholesterol foods that contribute to high blood cholesterol.
Significance
A zero cholesterol diet can help lower your risk of having a heart attack because an excess amount of cholesterol in your blood can cause a blockage in a blood vessel and prevent blood from reaching your heart. A zero cholesterol diet can be beneficial if you have high blood cholesterol. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, a healthy cholesterol level is one that is below 200.
Function
A zero cholesterol diet is used to decrease your intake of cholesterol. You implement a diet such as this after getting your doctor's approval and a report from him telling you your blood cholesterol level is high and needs to come down. A zero cholesterol diet can be used at home, but you might find it hard to adhere to this diet when you eat out because you will not always know exactly what is in the foods you order.
Features
A zero cholesterol diet is a diet that includes all foods grown. You will not see meat, fish, or any other food that comes from an animal on a zero cholesterol diet, but you will find a large number of fruits and vegetables. On a zero cholesterol diet, you will also see grains and legumes. Nuts and seeds contain zero cholesterol, as do plant oils such as olive oil and breads such as white bread and rye bread. A zero cholesterol diet includes herbs.
Benefits
Eating foods that contain zero cholesterol might help you shed weight as well as the risk of heart disease. Fruits, vegetables and grains are low in calories, and they contain fiber that makes you feel full after eating small amounts of food. This is helpful for weight control. A zero cholesterol diet can benefit your health in other ways. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, eating more fruits and vegetables may protect you from developing serious illnesses, including some types of cancer.
Solution
Ask your doctor if a zero cholesterol diet is for you. If he says it is, eat a variety of fruits and vegetables, and consume grains. Steam vegetables and grains, or sauté the vegetables in a tablespoon of olive oil with a one-half teaspoon of minced garlic if you like. Make a salad with fat-free Italian dressing. For dessert, have fresh fruit. Eat nuts and seeds when you want a healthy snack, but only in moderation since these foods contain a lot of fat.
References
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Fruit & Vegetable of the Month
- United States Department of Agriculture: National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration: Cholesterol
- National Heart Lung and Blood Institute: What is Cholesterol?
- MSUcares: What Foods Contain Cholesterol?
