Low Cholesterol Diet
People who are overweight usually have higher blood cholesterol levels than people at a healthy weight. When you reduce the fat in your diet, you cut down on the richest source of calories, as well as on saturated fat and cholesterol. An eating pattern high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat or nonfat dairy products and a moderate amount of lean meat, skinless poultry, and fish is a good way to lose weight and improve your blood cholesterol.
To maintain or lose weight as part of a low cholesterol diet, try eating five to six mini-meals a day. Skipping meals often leads to overeating of foods that are high in cholesterol. Consequently, eating smaller meals more frequently will allow your body to:
- Control blood sugars
- Burn fat more efficiently
- Help regulate cholesterol levels.
A low cholesterol diet is just one part of a lifestyle plan to lower or maintain your cholesterol level. The goal of diet, physical activity, weight loss, and cholesterol medicine is to keep your blood cholesterol under control. If you go off your treatment, your blood cholesterol will go up again -- and so will your risk for heart disease. You need to continue your cholesterol-lowering strategies for life.
Many people find lifelong changes, such as adhering to a low cholesterol diet, difficult to manage. It is important to remember that because you may not always stick with your new diet or exercise plan, you are not a failure; you're just human. The most important part of your new healthy lifestyle is learning how to overcome these challenges and quickly return to your goal.