Cholesterol, which is found in animal products, has been associated with an increased risk of heart disease when consumed in excess. While many fast foods contain meat or other animal products and thus are high in cholesterol, there are some foods that have low or no cholesterol. To keep your intake under control, choose plant-based foods when available.
Burgers & Sandwiches
Hamburgers generally contain a fair amount of cholesterol and saturated fat from the beef they contain. To avoid them, opt for vegetarian choices, which are often low in saturated fat and free of cholesterol. A veggie burger is a cholesterol-free choice, as it does not contain animal products. Some sandwiches are also low-cholesterol options; in general, turkey breast and other poultry are low in cholesterol, as are vegetarian choices such as soy protein.
Mexican Food
To avoid the cholesterol in Mexican food, steer clear of choices containing beef and instead opt for foods with beans. For example, a bean burrito should not contain cholesterol because the beans are simply boiled and mashed. The beans also contain heart-healthy fiber, which has beneficial effects on blood cholesterol. Other plant-based Mexican foods, such as guacamole, are also cholesterol free. Avocado, however, is high in calories, so it is important to limit your portion size.
Chinese Food
There are many Chinese foods that are low in or free of cholesterol. To keep your cholesterol intake low, choose dishes with fish and tofu instead of red meat. Some low-cholesterol options are noodles with vegetables and tofu, fish with rice and vegetables, and mu-shu made with vegetables. The vegetables found in these dishes contain fiber and are also high in water.
Italian Food
Pizza is one popular fast food choice that may be modified to lower its cholesterol content. As cheese is an animal product, it does contain a fair amount of cholesterol; low-fat dairy products, however, contain less. To keep your cholesterol intake under control, ask for a vegetarian pizza with a small amount of reduced-fat cheese and plenty of vegetables. The same goes for pasta; if it does not contain meat and is sprinkled with low-fat cheese, it is low in cholesterol.
References
- American Heart Association; Know Your Fats
- LIVESTRONG.COM MyPlate; Wendy's Hamburger
- LIVESTRONG.COM MyPlate; Better Burger Veggie Burger
- Mayo Clinic; Dietary Fiber: Essential for a Healthy Diet
- United States Department of Agriculture MyPyramid; Why is it Important to Eat Vegetables?
- United States Department of Agriculture MyPyramid; Health Benefits and Nutrients in Milk
