High cholesterol can be a dangerous medical condition that may damage other areas of your health. The Harvard School of Public Health says it's important to pay attention to the types of foods you eat. Eating to lower your cholesterol may reduce your risk of heart disease, hypertension and cancer. Learning the difference between nutritious foods and unhealthy foods can help you make smart eating decisions that may also help you take control of your cholesterol.
Do Not Eat Unhealthy Fats
There's a difference between healthy fats and unhealthy ones. Unhealthy fats are found in fried foods, fast food, packaged baked goods and meats such as sausage and salami. Saturated and trans fat are prevalent in these types of food. The Harvard School of Public Health reports that these unhealthy fats raise your LDL, or damaging, cholesterol levels. Trans fats, found in margarine and other solid fats, are even worse for your cholesterol level because they lower your HDL, or beneficial, levels while increasing LDL levels.
Do Not Eat High-Cholesterol Foods
Eating high-cholesterol foods doesn't help lower your blood levels, and it may contribute to heart disease and cancer. The Harvard School of Public Health reports that some people respond well to a low-cholesterol diet; others don't respond at all. If you want to try a low-cholesterol diet, restrict your intake of eggs, shrimp, crab, lobster and red meat and have your levels checked regularly.
Eat Healthy Fats
Healthy fats may have the opposite effect on your cholesterol than unhealthy fats. Adding healthy fats -- such as olive oil, avocados and nuts -- helps you consume more monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, which may help lower your LDL cholesterol while raising your HDL cholesterol. MayoClinic.com adds that eating fatty fish, such as salmon and trout, also helps you eat more of these beneficial fats. Replacing butter with canola oil and eating fish at least twice a week are two additional ways to make healthy changes.
Eat High-Fiber Foods
Foods high in soluble fiber help lower your LDL cholesterol levels and help raise your HDL cholesterol levels. Oatmeal is one of the most commonly cited sources of soluble fiber. A bowl a day may help you take control of your cholesterol. Other sources of soluble fiber include apples, pears, beans and prunes. Breakfast cereal made with oats or oat bran are additional sources of soluble fiber. Other fruits and vegetables also contain fiber, and loading your diet with a variety of fresh produce has also been linked to a reduction in cholesterol levels.
