According to the National Institutes of Health, cholesterol causes blockages in the arteries which can lead to heart attacks. Cholesterol is a waxy like substance that forms in the blood after eating fat. The highest cholesterol levels are found in meat. While meat remains a source of protein that is needed for the body, high-fat meats should be avoided.
Ground Beef
Ground beef has been getting a lot of attention lately in the press as numerous recalls have occurred. E. coli O157:H7, a particularly virulent species, can colonize in the intestines of cows, which then contaminates the meat when the animals are slaughtered. This bacteria can survive refrigerator and freezing temperatures and when ingested can cause serious illness and even death. Ground beef tends to be very high in fat content as well and will raise cholesterol levels.
Poultry
Poultry cooked with the skin left on is tasty and juicy; that's why you see chefs cooking it this way. But the skin is high in saturated fat and should be removed prior to cooking according to Mayo Clinic. Poultry eaten without skin can provide a nutritious source of protein that is low in calories and fat. According to Mayo Clinic, the leanest cuts of poultry are white meat without the skin.
Lamb and Pork
Tenderloin, loin chops or leg tends to be the leaner cuts in lamb and pork, according to Mayo Clinic. Eating small amounts of these meats can be part of a nutritious diet. It is important to trim any visible fat from the meat prior to cooking. This will decrease the amount of saturated fat the meat cooks in.
Meat in the Diet
While eating lean meats is not bad for you, it is important to know that meat should be the smallest portion of what you eat daily. One serving of meat equals the size of a deck of cards. Most people eat three or four servings of meat at one meal. Also, it is important that the diet consist of more plant-based foods than protein.This will help keep cholesterol low by limiting the amount of fat ingested and providing needed fiber in the diet. Also, don't forget about eating fish two to three times per week. This will also limit the amount of saturated fat to which you are exposed.
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