Cooking To Lower Cholesterol

This nation’s Number 1 killer is heart disease followed by stroke. Both are often ignited by too much cholesterol in the blood. But if you take the time to plan for healthy living, such as cooking to lower cholesterol and starting a regular exercise program, it just might save your life.

Changing your eating habits to lose weight is different than changing your diet based on a  need to omit foods from your diet because they are harmful to your overall health and specifically to your heart.  

Dieting to lose weight will improve your heart health but if you already have existing heart problems , a healthy diet based on what foods you need to include and what  foods you need to omit at meal will certainly be good for you.  Of course you should always check with your doctor first.

Watch what you eat to help lower your high cholesterol.  That doesn’t mean you have to give up all of the foods you love.  First take a look at the foods that are good for you. A good variety of fruits and vegetables should include 5 or more servings per day;

Whole grain products like bread , cereal , rice , and pasta should be 6 or more servings per day; lean meats and poultry without the skin and no more than 6 ounces per day; Fat-free or low fat milk; Beans and peas;  nuts and seeds; Fatty Fish which can be baked or broiled.  Use vegetable oils like olive oil or corn oil to prepare foods.  Use spices especially garlic to give your food the extra pizzazz you need to add flavor to your favorite dishes.

So what do you need to limit ? Whole milk and ice cream should be avoided. Omit butter, egg yolks, and cheese and foods that include them. Organ meats like liver are not going to help lower your cholesterol, and high-fat processed meats are out as well like sausage and hot dogs. You also need to limit fried foods, solid fats such as lard and shortening, and saturated oils.

Healthy Living involves cooking to lower cholesterol.  It may require a small learning curve but you can do and you can also learn healthy alternatives for changing your diet.  To lower your cholesterol, you will have to change your diet. Your doctor may put you on medication if diet changes are not significant enough to lower your cholesterol.

Remember you aren’t doing all this because your board or need a pastime.  Cooking to lower cholesterol can save your life.  This isn’t a diet to loose a couple of extra pounds. It is a change in food choices to enable you to live a healthier life, it’s cooking to lower cholesterol, and as a result provide a higher quality of life. You will significantly reduce your risk for other health problems simply by changing your diet. High cholesterol is a serious health problem and you need to take action before its too late.