Cholesterol is a fatty substance that naturally occurs in the human body. It is made by the liver, and the body needs some cholesterol to function properly. However, when the cholesterol in the blood is excessive, it blocks the arteries that supply blood to different parts of the body. People who have high cholesterol levels have a higher chance of developing cardiovascular disease or suffering a heart attack or stroke. People who want to lower their blood cholesterol levels must avoid certain foods that are high in fat and cholesterol.
Egg Yolks
According to the American Heart Association, eggs yolks contain cholesterol, whereas egg whites are healthy sources of protein. If you are cooking a meal that calls for eggs, substitute a whole egg with two egg whites. If you are baking, you can improve the texture by adding a tablespoon of vegetable oil.
Organ Meats
Some examples of organ meat are liver, brain and kidney. All these body parts from animals contain very high amounts of cholesterol. To lower cholesterol levels, it is advisable to avoid them completely or only eat them sparingly on occasion.
Fatty Meats
Meats such as beef, pork, lamb, goose meat and duck meat are all high in saturated fat and cholesterol. Choose chicken, turkey and healthy seafood in place of these meats whenever possible. If you include them in your diet, purchase lean cuts such as round, sirloin or chuck of beef, tenderloin of pork, and arm or leg of lamb. Trim all the visible fat from the meat during preparation. Broil or grill the meat on a rack instead of frying or cooking it on a pan.
Processed Meats
Meats such as salami, sausages and bologna are often very high in saturated fats, calories and sodium. Before purchasing, read the labels to determine the amount of fat and sodium in the meat. Only consume processed meats sparingly or avoid them completely.
Full-Fat Diary Products
Whole milk, cream, cheese and half-and-half are all high in saturated fat. Replace whole milk with skim milk or 1-percent milk for drinking or food preparation. Consume low-fat cottage cheese, ricotta or mozzarella in place of the full-fat versions.
Fats and Oils
Butter, lard, coconut, coconut oil, palm oil and palm kernel oil are all high in saturated fat. Avoid these during food preparation. Instead, use olive oil, canola oil, soybean oil or peanut oil, all of which are good sources of healthy monounsaturated fats, according to the Harvard School of Public Health. Avoid hard margarine that contains hydrogenated fats, which raise blood cholesterol.
Fried Foods
French fries, doughnuts, potato chips and fried chicken are all high in saturated fat and calories. So are desserts such as pastry, cheesecake and cake. Avoid such foods to lower your cholesterol levels and body weight.
