According to the National Cholesterol Education Program, your blood cholesterol levels have reached unhealthy levels when they rise above 200mg. Eating a diet low in saturated fat, trans fat and cholesterol can lower your cholesterol levels. Some foods have higher cholesterol-raising properties than others and you should avoid them.
Fried Meats
Fried meats are often fried in partially hydrogenated vegetable oil, which means they contain high amounts of trans fats. Including trans fats in your diet can considerably increase your risk of high cholesterol by raising your bad cholesterol and lowering your good.
Organ Meats
Organ meats, such as chicken livers, contain high amounts of cholesterol. The liver makes cholesterol; therefore, eating the liver of an animal will considerably increase your cholesterol intake. According to Health Aliciousness website, 3.5oz. of liver can contain as much as 564mg, which is almost double the recommended daily intake.
Bacon and Bacon Fat
Bacon offers little nutritional value. Bacon and its fat, which is often used to cook vegetables, contain high amounts of cholesterol-raising saturated fat and dietary cholesterol.
Butter
Solid fats, such as butter, contain high amounts of saturated fat and cholesterol. One stick of butter contains more than 243mg of cholesterol, notes Health Aliciousness. Oils such as olive oil or canola oil are healthier options than butter.
Hot Dogs and Sausage
Processed meats and are generally high in saturated fat and cholesterol. The amount of cholesterol and saturated fat in hot dogs and sausage can vary considerably depending on where on the animal they were cut from.
Whole Milk
Whole milk contains high amounts of cholesterol and saturated fat. Whole milk is not necessary for a healthy diet and you can get the same beneficial nutrients, without the unhealthy aspects, from nonfat milk or soy milk.
Egg Yolk
The yolk of the egg is where the majority of the cholesterol and fat is found, with about 210mg cholesterol, notes Health Aliciousness. Eating only the egg white and eliminating the yolk will help decrease your overall cholesterol and saturated fat intake.
Sweets and Desserts
Sweets and dessert foods, such as pastries, cakes and cookies, are often make with products that contain high amounts of saturated fat and cholesterol such as milk, butter and whole eggs. Despite being masked by grains and a sweet flavor, avoid these foods or make them without high-cholesterol ingredients.
Fast Food
Fast food is often loaded with added sugar, salt, saturated fat and cholesterol. All of these can contribute to increases in your cholesterol levels and risk of heart disease. If you're at a fast-food restaurant, opt for salads and low-fat dressing.
Seafood
Some types of seafood, unlike fish, are packed with cholesterol. Shrimp, oysters and mussels all contain high amounts of cholesterol, but these foods are often low in fat and calories, which can help you avoid the unwanted weigh gain that can contribute to high cholesterol levels.
