Cholesterol, which is both synthesized by the liver and present in many foods, has a number of different roles in the body, including the construction of cell membranes, the manufacturing of bile and the synthesis of steroid hormones. Too much dietary cholesterol, however, can cause you to develop atherosclerosis, a condition in which excess cholesterol in the blood builds up in the arteries, obstructing the flow of blood. If you are concerned about dietary cholesterol, there are a number of steps you can take to eliminate cholesterol from your food.
Step 1
Choose leaner cuts of meat. The American Heart Association recommends avoiding "prime" cuts of meat and instead purchasing "choice" or "select grades".
Step 2
Prepare meats in a way that reduces their cholesterol content. One way in which you can do this is to trim the excess fat from meat, AskDrSears.com notes. Broiling meat can also allow the fat in the meat to drip out, reducing its cholesterol content. Putting meat on a rack while broiling, roasting or baking meat can help keep the meat from soaking up the fat which drains out during the cooking process, the American Heart Association explains.
Step 3
Replace whole eggs with egg whites. The yolks of eggs are high in cholesterol and saturated fat. Egg whites, on the other hand, are comparatively low in cholesterol, so substitute egg whites for whole eggs whenever possible.
Step 4
Use cooking oils lower in cholesterol. Solid fats, like butter, lard and shortening are high in cholesterol. Replacing them with oils such as canola, soybean, olive or sunflower oil can allow you to reduce the amount of cholesterol in foods which you cook.
