It’s a smart idea to eat a balanced diet for better heart health, and one step towards this is avoiding foods with excessive amounts of cholesterol. This is only possible if you actually know what to avoid, and in our article, we provide a shortlist of foods just for you.
Baked Goods
It’s an unfortunate part of life that the deliciousness of pastries, cookies, and cakes comes with not only high sugar but dangerous levels of cholesterol. Try to stick to fruit or experiment with healthier baking recipes, allowing you to enjoy sweet treats without heart concerns.
Lard
Used in many traditional baking and cooking recipes, lard is a type of fat that can clog your arteries to no end. We can deny that it makes many dishes taste so much better, but using it excessively will ultimately lead to a whole host of health problems.
Full-Fat Dairy
Any dairy products that are full-fat, such as cream, whole milk, and cheese, are going to be very high in saturated fats. Thankfully, there are plenty of tasty alternatives, such as switching to skim or 1% milk, and using low-fat cheese options.
Red Meat
Beef, lamb, pork, and other red meats are notorious for their high saturated fat content, which can spike cholesterol levels. Healthline suggests that it’s fine and even healthy to eat occasionally, but it’s wise to substitute red meats with fish or chicken, which have much lower saturated fat.
Butter
The regular consumption of butter, which is rich in saturated fat, can also be terrible for your heart. It might be delicious, but it’s high in cholesterol, so use substitutes like olive oil or other vegetable-based spreads to reduce risk, keeping your ticker in check.
Fried Foods
Most people are aware that fried foods are cooked in oils loaded with trans fats, which can increase LDL (bad cholesterol) and decrease HDL (good cholesterol). Instead, opt for having fried food as an occasional treat, sticking to grilled or steamed dishes for your daily meals.
Margarine
Many people don’t realize that butter alternatives such as margarine are packed with partially hydrogenated oils, a source of trans fats that are very harmful to cholesterol levels. When shopping, seek out non-hydrogenated versions, which are still healthier than butter but without the dangerous additions.
Coconut Oil
There’s no denying that coconut oil is exceptionally creamy while being much healthier than a lot of oils, but despite this, it’s still a significant source of saturated fat. To avoid overdoing it, heart-healthier oils, such as olive oil or sunflower oil, provide better fat profiles for those managing cholesterol.
Processed Meats
Sausages, hot dogs, deli slices, and other processed meats are, unfortunately, packed with fats and salts, making them a deadly source of cholesterol. Instead of consuming these regularly, it’s wiser to consider lean meats, poultry, or plant-based proteins as alternatives, and save the hot dogs for the seasonal barbeque.
Ice Cream
A lot of people overlook that the high content of sugar and saturated fat in ice cream makes it terrible for your cholesterol. Thankfully, there are plenty of lower-fat versions or fruit-based treats available these days, and you’ll be surprised at how satisfying yet healthy these can be.
Fast Food
The convenience of fast food is simply not worth its nutritional downsides, which are numerous. However, the most deadly side effect of fast food is undoubtedly its high levels of trans fats and saturated fats, both of which elevate cholesterol far more than you may realize.
Shellfish
Believe it or not, certain types of shellfish, such as lobster and shrimp, contain very high levels of cholesterol, which few people would expect. They look pretty nutritious, so don’t be fooled into eating them as a health food, keeping your consumption of them to the minimum.
Egg Yolks
Another food that people never expect to be high in cholesterol is egg yolks. While they’re certainly nutritious in many other ways, moderation is key. For those with high cholesterol, using egg whites or cholesterol-free egg substitutes can keep cholesterol intake in check without sacrificing protein.
Cheese
Life without cheese is unimaginable, but certain varieties, such as cheddar and cream cheese, are particularly laden with saturated fats. Give your heart a break by choosing some reduced-fat versions or using smaller amounts when you cook, keeping your cholesterol intake in check while still allowing you the flavor.
Cream Sauces
Pasta dishes, casseroles, and gravy are all creamed-based sources that can be surprisingly high in both calories and saturated fats. That’s not great for your cholesterol, so stick to tomato-based or vegetable-based sauces when possible, which are just as tasty but without the negative health effects.
Palm Oil
Found in processed foods and baked goods, palm oil is another source of saturated fat that can elevate cholesterol levels significantly. Thankfully, it’s easy to avoid; read the labels of any product that you purchase, and you’ll notice that there are plenty of alternatives that are free from palm oil.
Croissants and Biscuits
Everyone loves the occasional croissant, biscuit, or pastry, but it’s important not to overdo it unless you want your heart to be caked in cholesterol. They’re crazily high in saturated fats, hence the cholesterol problem, so croissants, biscuits, and other baked goods are best saved for special occasions.
Pies
If you’ve ever eaten a pie crust that melts in your mouth, that’s because of all the butter, sugar, and fat. We can all agree that it’s delicious, so if you are eating a buttery pie, stick to a healthy filling to counteract the cholesterol of the crust.
Caviar
Despite being considered a luxury seafood, caviar is, surprisingly, also very high in cholesterol. If you’re watching your cholesterol levels, it might be wise to limit intake or choose other seafood options, but thankfully, the outrageous price of caviar will likely make this very easy.