Your body makes cholesterol and stores this wax-like substance in your blood. Cholesterol is also found in certain foods, particularly foods that contain unhealthy fats. If you have too much cholesterol in your diet, the excess cholesterol could build up in the lining of your arteries. High cholesterol levels increase your risk for many health conditions such as strokes and heart disease. For some people, a low-fat diet, such as the South Beach Diet, could result in weight loss and reduced cholesterol levels.
South Beach Diet
The South Beach Diet is a dietary plan that recommends a low-fat foods, while also cutting out many types of carbs. This plan breaks down into three phases. In the first phase, which lasts two weeks, you cut out all carbohydrates and sugars. You can eat as much lean protein and allowed vegetables as you like. In the second phase, you can add in whole grain carbohydrates and certain fruits. This second phase lasts until you reach your goal weight, and then you move onto the third phase, the maintenance phase. In the third phase, you can eat any food in moderation, but the plan recommends focusing on low-fat, low-carb choices to maintain your weight.
Meat Choices
If you have high cholesterol, the South Beach Diet could help you reduce your levels if you pay close attention to your food choices. Boneless, skinless chicken and turkey breasts make lean protein choices, and you may also want to choose from a variety of fish and seafood. You can choose lean cuts of red meat as well; these may include London broil, top loin or sirloin steak. Talk with your doctor about protein choices since your doctor may recommend that you limit your intake of red meat to once or twice a week.
Other Foods
You can have eggs, which are high in cholesterol, on the South Beach Diet, so you may want to talk to your doctor about whether you should use an egg substitute. This may depend on your cholesterol levels. Other animal-based foods may also contain fat and cholesterol including cheese and other dairy products. The South Beach Diet recommends that you eat low-fat or fat-free versions of these products. Examples of these foods include skim milk, low-fat cottage cheese, reduced fat mozzarella and part-skim ricotta.
Considerations
If you follow a low-fat diet, you can see improvement in their cholesterol levels. Your doctor may also recommend that you go for a walk each day or find other ways to stay active since this can also help reduce your levels. In some cases, diet and exercise may not bring your cholesterol down enough, and your doctor may recommend that you take a medication. High cholesterol may also run in your family, and, despite diet and exercise, you may continue to have high levels. In such cases, your doctor may recommend a cholesterol medication to bring down your cholesterol, helping to reduce your risk for complications.
Member Comments