Just in case you didn’t know… Food is important!
I can’t begin to describe how distressing it is to see image conscious people (especially young women and girls) starving themselves in the pursuit of their ideal figure. It’s a bad way to lose unsightly body fat and an even worse way to get healthy. In the age of fad diets and ‘miracle’ weight loss drugs, it’s astonishing how many people fail to see a simple truth… There’s really no substitute for a healthy diet and regular exercise, enhanced by the right supplements for nutrients that are difficult to get from food alone.
When it comes to cholesterol, it’s important to understand the risks presented by high cholesterol as well as knowing how you can lower it safely and sustainably. Advancements in nutrition have led to the development of supplements to reduce your cholesterol. You can find more information on supplements at cholesloreview.com but as with any supplement, it’s important to combine it with the right diet to get the best results.
First, let’s have a look at…
The dangers of high cholesterol
High cholesterol is no laughing matter. In fact, it’s literally a matter of life or death. High cholesterol increases your risk of heart attacks and strokes and angina. Cholesterol saturation in the blood causes plaque buildup within the arteries decreasing blood flow and impairing the function of the cells and organs to which these blood vessels supply oxygen.
Given how devastating high cholesterol can be, it’s surprising to many just how easy it is to lower it naturally by chowing down on delicious nutritious foods. While it’s easy to eat your way to low cholesterol, it’s even easier to eat your way to high cholesterol.
Foods to avoid
We all know that we should avoid excessive consumption of saturated fats, but many of us are unaware of just how ubiquitous these fats are and where they can lurk. Some of these foods that are high in saturated fats are pretty obvious but others may surprise you given their reputation as healthy foods:
- Butter
- Margarines
- Lard, and goose fat
- Fatty meat products such as sausages, bacon and processed meats like pepperoni.
- Full fat cheeses, milk, cream and yogurt
- Coconut oil
- Coconut milk and cream
- Palm oil
While any of the above is fine as an occasional treat, they should be avoided in excessive amounts. Besides, with so many delicious foods naturally proven to lower cholesterol, you won’t even miss them.
Cholesterol reducing foods
If you’re vegetarian or vegan then the good news is that you’re already on the inside track. Many of the foods that already serve as your source for healthy fats, protein and fiber, as well as any soy based dairy alternatives are also proven to battle high cholesterol. You can enjoy these foods safe in the knowledge that they’re actively reducing your cholesterol:
- Oats and oatmeal (there’s a reason it’s been a staple of healthy breakfasts for generations)
- Wholegrain barley
- Beans (versatile, varied and packed with nutrition)
- Fish (rich in omega 3 fatty acids)
- Nuts
- Okra / eggplant
- Apples
- Grapes
- Vegetable oils
- Berries
- Citrus fruits
By sticking to these foods and moderating your consumption of saturated fats, you’ll be well on your way to low cholesterol and good health.
