According to the American Heart Association (AHA), cholesterol is a soft, waxy, fat-like substance that exists in every cell in your body and in your bloodstream. The majority of cholesterol (75 percent) is produced naturally, while the remaining 25 percent is contained in the foods you consume. While some cholesterol is required for a body to be healthy, too much of it circulating in the blood can clog arteries, increasing your risk of heart attack and stroke.The AHA says the worst foods for managing high cholesterol are those containing trans and saturated fats.
Meats
Saturated fats are found primarily in animal products. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says there are a number of dietary adjustments you can make to help lower your cholesterol. Limit the amount of food you eat that is high in fat, such as fatty meats (beef, veal, pork, lamb), shellfish and fried foods. The Harvard School of Public Health suggests replacing red meat with beans, nuts, poultry, and fish. The FDA recommends supplementing your diet with more fruits and vegetables.
Dairy Products
You can also help manage your LDL levels by cutting back on dairy foods that are very high in cholesterol. These are egg yolks, whole eggs, whole and 2 percent milk, fatty cheeses, butter, oils, lards and creams. The Harvard School of Public Health recommends switching to low-fat dairy products.
Processed Foods
The Mayo Clinic recommends eliminating trans fats because they are especially bad for your cholesterol. This is because they raise your LDL, or bad cholesterol, levels while lowering your HDL, or good cholesterol, levels. Trans fats are commonly found in commercially baked cookies, doughnuts, muffins, pies, pastries, snack cakes and crackers. The Harvard School of Public Health recommends reading food labels to check for trans fats.
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