Cholesterol is necessary for the body to work properly, but too much of the wrong kind in the diet creates health issues, such as heart disease and stroke. Foods high in LDL cholesterol, or low-density lipoproteins, cause the arteries to become blocked and slow the flow of blood. Foods with the healthier HDL cholesterol, or high-density lipoproteins, have the opposite effect and help keep the blood flowing.
Meats High in LDL Cholesterol
Cholesterol is found in saturated fat. The fat surrounding meat as well as the marbling in higher prices cuts is filled with cholesterol. You will also find it in the drippings at the bottom of the pan. The high cholesterol meats include beef, veal, pork and lamb. Organ meats are also high in cholesterol. Other meats high in cholesterol include most processed meats, including sausage and bacon.
Poultry and Eggs High in LDL Cholesterol
The meat of chicken and turkey is healthy, but the skin of all poultry, including duck, is filled with cholesterol. Egg yolks also have a high level of cholesterol, while the whites do not.
Dairy High in LDL Cholesterol
The higher the fat in dairy products, the more cholesterol they contain. The dairy products that are high in cholesterol include butter, cream, whole milk, some cheese, full-fat ice cream, half and half and full-fat sour cream.
Fats and Oils High in LDL Cholesterol
All saturated fats and hydrogenated oils contain high amounts of cholesterol. These include any non-liquid fats, such as lard and shortening. Other high cholesterol fats are coconut oil, palm oil, cocoa butter and palm kernel oil.
Other Foods High in LDL Cholesterol
Many packaged foods contain saturated fat, which makes them high in cholesterol. Some of these are packaged cookies, cakes, pastries, muffins and select packaged grain products.
Foods High in HDL Cholesterol
Foods high in HDL cholesterol will help keep the cardiovascular system healthy. These high-density lipoproteins sweep up the cholesterol and carry it through the blood, helping to prevent it from sticking to the artery walls and creating plaque. These include fish oils, salmon, herring, cod, sardines, tuna, walnuts, almonds, pecans and avocados.
