Triglycerides are a type of fat in the bloodstream. Triglyceride levels that are too high can increase risk of developing heart disease, the Mayo Clinic says. Knowing which foods to eat and which to avoid can help a person lower high triglyceride levels, promoting a heart-healthy lifestyle and diminishing the risks of developing a number of health ailments such as heart disease, diabetes and obesity.
Trans Fat
A person with high triglycerides should avoid foods containing trans fats. Trans fats are found in partially hydrogenated oils and shortening. It is important to read food labels because, according to the Mayo Clinic, products in the United States that contain less than 0.5 grams of trans fat per serving can be labeled as "trans fat-free." This small amount can add up quickly.
Trans fats are commonly found in commercially prepared baked items such as pies, cookies, cakes, snack cakes, convenience foods, biscuits, croissants, crackers, breads, energy bars, brownies, doughnuts, fruit turnovers, pastries and muffins. Fried and deep-fried foods should be avoided beause they can contain high amounts of trans fats.
Refined Sugar & Flour
Processed foods usually contain refined sugars and/or white flours. These foods are to be avoided by those with high triglycerides because they can cause insulin production to spike suddenly, the Mayo Clinic says. This can lead to increased triglycerides.
Processed foods include boxed breakfast cereals, pie fillings, canned foods, frozen foods, fast foods, deli foods, pasteurized cheese spreads, frostings, boxed cake mixes, boxed dinner entrees, frozen bread dough, pizzas, calzones and tubed pastries, according to the American Heart Association. Condiments such as ketchup, cocktail sauces, dipping sauces, mustard, relish and barbecue sauce can contain large amounts of refined sugars.
Saturated Fats
Foods that contain high levels of saturated fats should be avoided by those with high triglycerides, the Mayo Clinic says. Saturated fats are found in animal-based products such as beef lamb, veal, pork, venison and organ meats. Organ meats, also known as byproducts, include livers, kidneys, spleens, heart and stomachs. Variety meats made from the animals also contain rich amounts of saturated fats, Nutritiondata.com states. These include sausages, sandwich spreads, canned meats and deli cuts. Fats and meat drippings made from the animals are also very high in saturated fats.
Various parts of poultry contain rich amounts of saturated fats. Poultry includes duck, hen, chicken, goose and turkey. Poultry organ meats are other rich sources to be avoided.
Whole-fat dairy are other foods to avoid with high triglyceride levels, the Mayo Clinic says. These include milk, cream, mayonnaise, yogurt, ice cream and butter. According to Nutritiondata.com, a 1 oz. serving of salted butter contains 14 g of saturated fat. This same serving size provides more than 72 percent of the daily recommended allotment of saturated fat. Products made from whole-fat dairy foods fall within this category. These include cream-based sauces (such as Alfredo), cream pies, puddings, custards and flan.
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