Whether you are in good physical shape or not, knowing the ways to lower cholesterol is necessary. As the old saying goes, an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure. Don’t wait until you get a heart attack to learn the ways of reducing cholesterol.
Limit Intake of Fatty Foods
These include butter, milk and cheese. You should also reduce the amount of greasy foods you eat. Among them are hamburgers, pizzas, pasta and pork chops. Sweets like cakes, ice cream, chocolates and candies should be eaten in moderation. The same goes for potato chips and fruit salads.
When eating salads, reduce the amount of mayonnaise you use. One of the best ways to lower cholesterol is to drain the fat from your cooking. Those juices in the frying pan are very high in cholesterol.
Eat Fish, Vegetables and Fruits
There’s no such thing as eating too much of these three foods. Do not overcook vegetables because it will rob them off their nutrients. They need to be washed of course, but don’t soak them in too much water.
Try cooking fish in different ways so you don’t get tired of its taste. Just make sure that you don’t garnish the fish with too many spicy herbs.
Use fruits like mangoes, bananas or grapes for dessert. You can also try strawberries, raspberries etc. One of the most effective ways to lower cholesterol is to just eat fruits as is. Don’t convert them into milkshakes or smoothies.
The sugar you add will increase your cholesterol. If you want to drink them, just extract the juices. Don’t add fatty milk or sugar. Apart from desserts, you can use these fruits as substitute snacks.
Other Healthy Foods
Whole grains and legumes are good for the body too. Read the product labels carefully. Avoid those marked “partially hydrogenated…oil”. These foods have trans fats. Trans fats will cause your cholesterol to spike up. These fats don’t just add to your weight; they will clog up your arteries. That will make you susceptible to a heart attack.
Trans fat doesn’t just apply to burgers or other fried foods. They can also be found in bread and baked dishes. Look for foods with the “no trans fat” sign on them.
More Water, Less Alcohol
Other ways to lower cholesterol include drinking more water. It helps purify the body and remove unhealthy elements in the body. You’ll also want to limit the alcohol you take. Too much alcohol will lead to excess fat in the body. This makes you susceptible to liver disease.
Note: use olive oil rather than vegetable oil when cooking. This is true regardless of what you’re cooking. They’re more expensive, but healthier.
Other Ways
A capsule of Omega 3 a day will help reduce cholesterol. If you smoke, you should stop. You should also start exercising on a daily basis.
These are just some of the best ways to lower cholesterol. Following these guidelines will ensure your cholesterol is at manageable levels.
Information About Cholesterol