Low-cholesterol diets are also sometimes called heart-healthy or heart-friendly diets because they are typically high in foods that help lower cholesterol and low in the saturated fats that cause "bad" cholesterol to build up in your body. Some cholesterol-busting foods, such as nuts and some fish, tend to be high in calories, so work them into your diet gradually by using them to replace other food items.
Significance
Diets that limit intake to 1,500 calories are more restrictive for the average healthy person than the typical recommended 2,000-calorie daily diet. For shorter people and older people who may be less active, a 1,500-calorie diet may be recommended to ensure that caloric intake is less than or equal to the number of calories burned daily. A low-calorie, low-cholesterol diet generally yields a daily meal plan that can alter your eating habits in the long-term, emphasizing healthier foods while eliminating high-calorie snacks and fats.
Features
Low-cholesterol diets tend to limit saturated fat. This eliminates a lot of common high-calorie foods, such as fatty meats, cream sauces and high-fat dairy products, which makes the calorie-cutting process easier. A low-calorie, low-cholesterol diet prominently features a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as whole grains and dietary fiber. Add oatmeal or oat bran muffins to your breakfast meal plan as you try to keep your cholesterol low. Incorporate tuna into your lunch menus, and fish, such as mackerel, salmon, halibut and lake trout, into your dinner meal plans. Choose dairy products that are low-fat or nonfat, and choose nuts as a healthy snack. Use heart-healthy olive oil sparingly instead of butter or salad dressings.
Benefits
Adding soluble fiber to your diet, such as oats and oat bran, reduces "bad" cholesterol, which also can improve your heart's health. For overweight people, a lower-calorie diet can lead to weight loss and fewer potential health problems.
Considerations
Some dieters find combination diets, such as low-calorie, low-cholesterol, to be complex or confusing. The website Changing Shape encourages dieters to count calories first, then work cholesterol-busting strategies into a low-calorie, or 1500-calorie, diet. You might begin by reducing calories from saturated fats. Limit your daily intake of saturated fat to no more than 7 percent of your total calories. For a 1,500-calorie diet, that means no more than 105 calories from saturated fats. Less saturated fat will be better for cholesterol levels.
Expert Insight
Most bodies produce enough cholesterol without requiring additional cholesterol from food sources, says MayoClinic.com, which recommends dieters consume 300mg of cholesterol daily. Since most low-calorie diets emphasize fruits and vegetables at every meal and at least five servings a day, you can cut back your cholesterol and your calories by substituting fruits and vegetables for cholesterol-laden foods such as animal products. MayoClinic.com advises limiting daily meat intake to 6 oz.
