Low-Triglyceride Diet

In April 2011, the American Heart Association altered its triglyceride-level recommendations and added further restrictions to diets aimed at lowering triglyceride levels. To reduce your triglycerides to the revised level of 100 mg/dl -- down from 150 mg/dl -- follow a meal plan that moderates your intake of saturated fat, trans fat and sugar.

Low-Triglyceride Diet Guidelines

A low-triglyceride diet should include no more than 16 g of saturated fat, no more than 2 g of trans fat and no more than 150 sugar calories per day, according to the American Heart Association. Such a diet can lower your triglycerides by 20 percent. If you also exercise 2 1/2 hours a week, shed excess pounds and limit alcohol consumption, you could cut your triglyceride levels in half, according to a scientific statement released by the heart association and published in the April 2011 issue of "Circulation."

Breakfast

You can stick to the heart association guidelines if you consume more fiber and less protein and obtain most of your sugar from fruits. For breakfast, you could enjoy a bowl of oatmeal cooked with nonfat milk and topped with almonds and apple slices. Alternatively, you could have whole-wheat toast topped with avocado and tomato or peanut butter and a sliced banana; a bowl of berries topped with nonfat plain yogurt; or an egg-white omelet filled with sweet potatoes, onions, green pepper and tomatoes. If you want meat with breakfast, choose lean ham instead of bacon, and keep portions small.

Lunch

Choose one of these five suggested lunches to meet the recommended guidelines: baked black beans over brown rice, served with a glass of nonfat milk and an apple; a turkey sandwich on seven-grain bread topped with sprouts, spinach, tomatoes and mustard; a bowl of bean soup served with a mixed green salad in a vinaigrette dressing; a salad that includes romaine, blackberries, tomatoes and skinless grilled chicken tossed with balsamic vinegar; or a vegetable stir fry with 2 oz. of beef sirloin.

Dinner

At dinner, any of these five menu choices would fit comfortably within a low-triglyceride diet: grilled salmon served with wild rice and broccoli; whole-wheat pasta in a marinara sauce and topped with a medley of vegetables; ham with a baked sweet potato and green beans; a salad topped with water-packed tuna, carrots, peas, onions and green pepper with a mustard-yogurt dressing; or a turkey burger on a whole-wheat bun topped with avocado, lettuce and tomato. If you want dessert, consider a smoothie made with nonfat yogurt, nonfat milk, fruit and ice or a homemade bran muffin made with applesauce instead of butter or oil.

Low-Triglyceride Diet