Research has shown that a high-cholesterol diet can increase risk of heart disease and other serious illnesses. That's why it is important to monitor cholesterol intake. Foods that are not from an animal source are cholesterol-free and should be a regular part of your diet. The list of cholesterol-free foods is extensive and can offer many healthy food options.
Grains
Grains do not contain cholesterol, therefore nearly all breakfast cereals are cholesterol-free. Whole grain foods that are cholesterol-free include pearled barley, buckwheat, bulgur, cornmeal, whole wheat pasta, millet, oats, rice noodles, brown and white rice, wild rice, rye, semolina and wheat bran.
Beverages
Beverages that contain no cholesterol include carbonated sodas such as ginger ale, orange, root beer, grape and other flavors. Tea and coffee served without cream or milk are also cholesterol free. Juices such as cranberry and cranberry juice blends contain no cholesterol. Canned fruit drinks and powdered drinks are usually free of cholesterol. Other cholesterol-free drinks are lemonade, limeade, beer, wine, gin, rum, vodka and whiskey.
Herbs, Spices, Extracts and Vinegar
All herbs and spices, including salt, are cholesterol-free foods. Included as well are allspice, anise, basil leaves, bay leaf, caraway seeds, cardamom, celery seed, chervil, powders such as chili and cinnamon, cloves, coriander, cumin, curry, dill, fennel, fenugreek, garlic and onion powder, ginger, mace, marjoram, nutmeg, oregano, paprika, pepper, peppermint, poppy, prepared mustard seeds, rosemary, saffron, sage, savory, spearmint, tarragon, thyme and turmeric. Vinegar is also cholesterol-free, as is vanilla extract.
Nuts and Seeds
All nuts and seeds are cholesterol-free foods including almonds, beechnuts, Brazil nuts, cashews, chestnuts, coconuts, ginkgo nuts, hazelnuts, macadamia nuts, pecans, pine nuts, pistachio nuts, walnuts, flaxseed, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds and sunflower seeds.
Soups
Soups that are cholesterol-free include canned vegetable soups. Though soups made with chicken or beef broth have animal derivative, check labels as some of them contain no cholesterol. Creamy varieties of soup typically contain cream or milk, so avoid these when adhering to a low-cholesterol diet.
Vegetables and Legumes
All vegetables have a zero cholesterol content. On the list of cholesterol-free vegetables is artichokes, arugula, asparagus, bamboo shoots, snap beans (green and yellow), beets and their greens, broccoli raab, broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, Swiss chard, chicory, chives, collards, corn, dandelion, eggplant, endive, fennel, garlic, gourd, hearts of palm, horseradish, kale, kohlrabi, leeks, all lettuce, mushrooms, mustard greens, spinach, okra, onions, parsley, parsnips, peas, peppers, potatoes (white and sweet), pumpkin, purslane, radishes, rutabagas, seaweed, shallots, spinach, squash, zucchini, tomatoes, turnips, wasabi, water chestnuts and watercress. Legumes are cholesterol-free as long as they are not flavored with ham, bacon or other meats. Some popular legumes include adzuki beans, black beans, great northern beans, kidney beans, navy beans, pinto beans, white beans, chickpeas, cowpeas, lentils, lima beans, mung beans, mungo beans, split peas, pigeon peas and soybeans.
Eggs
Egg yolks are rich in cholesterol, but egg whites are cholesterol-free and can be included in a low-cholesterol diet.
