Meals for a cholesterol diet can include your favorite foods, but sometimes in smaller portions and with reduced fat. Saturated and trans fats raise low-density lipoprotein, or LDL, cholesterol, which accumulates in the arteries to cause high cholesterol. Foods that help lower cholesterol belong on your menu. Some foods also help increase high-density lipoprotein, or HDL, cholesterol, which removes excess cholesterol from the arteries and carries it to the liver for disposal.
Meat and Meat Substitutes
Meat contains protein, but also has saturated fat. Choose lean meats with all visible fat trimmed off before cooking and eating. Consume chicken and turkey without fatty skin. White meat has less saturated fat than dark meat. Replace meat with fish at least twice a week. You can also go meatless once in a while with dry peas and beans and tofu, which have low saturated fat content, according to the National Cholesterol Education Program. Avoid fast foods that may contain trans fats, which raise LDL cholesterol and lower protective HDL.
Low-Fat Dairy
Because eggs have a high cholesterol content, limit your consumption to two egg yolks a week. Use egg whites or egg substitutes whenever possible. Some baked goods and processed foods contain egg yolks. Buy low-fat or fat-free milk and dairy products instead of items made with whole milk.
Additives
Use oils with unsaturated fats instead of butter or other products with saturated fats when preparing foods. Unsaturated fats have the ability to lower LDL cholesterol and raise HDL cholesterol, according to the Harvard School of Public Health. Olive, canola and peanut oils contain monounsaturated fats and safflower, soybean, sunflower and sesame oils have polyunsaturated fats. Both unsaturated fats help improve your cholesterol levels.
Fruits and Vegetables
High-fiber, low-fat fruits and vegetables work effectively in a cholesterol diet used as side dishes or in salads. These foods can improve cholesterol levels for people who have high cholesterol. The National Cholesterol Education Program recommends at least three to five servings of fruits and vegetables a day.
Whole Grains
Whole grains also have plenty of fiber and low-fat content. Use whole grains instead of refined grains, MayoClinic.com suggests. Eat whole-grain or whole-wheat bread, high-fiber cereal, whole-grain pasta, whole-wheat flour, oatmeal and brown rice. Use fiber-rich ground flaxseed with yogurt or hot cereal. Avoid refined flour, white bread, cornbread and muffins.
Desserts
Stay away from commercially packaged snacks, which contain trans fats. Enjoy sweets and snacks once in a while by eating low-fat brownies, cakes, cupcakes, cookies and pastries. Low-fat yogurt with fruit makes a healthy dessert. Eat gelatin desserts or graham crackers. Try angel food cake topped with fresh fruit slices.
