1. Get the Good Stuff
Good cholesterol, or LDL, is proven to help lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart disease. For people already plagued with heart problems, some of the drastic high-cholesterol diets can help reverse the problems.
2. Tender Loving Care
The American Heart Association recommends the TLC high cholesterol diet for people with high blood pressure. It's called the Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes diet because many of the recipes will cause most people to make drastic changes in their eating habits. The diet calls for two eggs a day, five ounces of lean meat and two to three servings of low-fat dairy. The diet is very strict when it comes to fat intake and sugar should be avoided. You should eat as many servings of fruits and vegetables as you get and eat them with every meal. Also, add six servings of whole grain for added protein, carbs and fiber.
3. Lose the Salt
High cholesterol diets used to treat high blood pressure are also good for people who suffer from type-2 diabetes and obesity. A healthy cholesterol diet is very low in saturated fats that bring the bad cholesterol, or HDL, that is often cited as the cause of heart disease and hypertension. People on these diets need to get rid of any extra salt in their food as well. Lose the saltshaker and learn to live with the added salt that is inherent in most prepared foods and restaurant meals.
4. Go fat
Fat is not a dirty word on high-cholesterol diets meant to reduce heart disease. You should be consuming a diet high in good fats that come from monosaturated and polyunsaturated foods such as olive oil, certain nuts and avocados. Fat from omega-3 acid filled food like fish are highly encouraged. Filling additions on the diet are low in saturated fats, such as whole grains in bread, pasta and cereal, vegetables, fruit and beans.
5. Do the Math
Cholesterol tests are usually given after a fast lasting nine to 12 hours and measure the levels of good and bad cholesterol. Regular testing can catch problems early, giving you time to change your eating habits and avoid heart disease. A good overall cholesterol level comes in at between 200 and 230, with less than 100 to 130 of that being the HDL, or bad cholesterol. LDL levels of the good cholesterol below 40 are a signal of potential heart problems and should be addressed as soon as possible.
