What is the number one food to lower cholesterol?

Oatmeal, oat bran and high-fiber foods Oatmeal has soluble fiber, which reduces your low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, the "bad" cholesterol. Soluble fiber is also found in such foods as kidney beans, Brussels sprouts, apples and pears.

What is the golden drink that lowers cholesterol?

Golden milk, also known as turmeric milk , is a common Indian drink that has recently been gaining popularity in western cultures due to many health claims. It's beautiful bright yellow color is a result of adding turmeric, along with spices such as cinnamon and ginger, to milk.

What can I drink to flush out my cholesterol?

Cholesterol is often high due to excessive saturated and trans fat consumption. There are certain drinks that can help maintain an ideal cholesterol level. Some of the best drinks for cholesterol management include green tea, pomegranate juice, citrus juice, soy milk, plant-based smoothies, and red wine .

Are bananas good for cholesterol?

The fiber and potassium in bananas can reduce the level of cholesterol and blood pressure. Banana is especially known as a good source of soluble fibre which will gives one a healthy body and good immune system. Grapes get into the bloodstream and carry all the bad cholesterol into the liver where it gets processed.

Are eggs bad for cholesterol?

Answer From Francisco Lopez-Jimenez, M.D. Chicken eggs are an affordable source of protein and other nutrients. They're also naturally high in cholesterol. But the cholesterol in eggs doesn't seem to raise cholesterol levels the way some other foods, such as those high in trans fats and saturated fats, do.

Is peanut butter good for cholesterol?

Due to its high amount of unsaturated fats, peanut butter may help reduce a person's LDL cholesterol levels . Having optimal LDL levels is linked with a lower risk of heart disease. A 2015 study found that people who had a high intake of nuts may have a lower risk of cardiovascular disease mortality.

What fruit is the number one to fight cholesterol?

Apples. Apples are the most nutritious, healthy, and tasty fruit. You must have heard the common saying 'An apple a day keeps the doctor away'. Apples can effectively help in lowering your blood cholesterol levels naturally, as it is rich in polyphenols.

Are potatoes bad for cholesterol?

Potatoes are rich in soluble fibre, which can be consumed by high cholesterol patients without any confusion. Consuming potatoes not only maintains the cholesterol level, but the body also gets many health benefits. Consumption of potatoes in cholesterol is safe only if you consume it properly .

What foods flush out bad cholesterol?

Cholesterol-lowering foods 1) Oatmeal, oat bran and high-fiber foods . Foods high in soluble fiber help reduce the absorption of cholesterol into your bloodstream. Soluble fiber is also found in kidney beans, apples, pears, barley and prunes. 2) Fish and omega-3 fatty acids.

What are two foods that someone with high cholesterol should avoid?

Avoiding certain foods may help a person manage their cholesterol levels. These include red meats, organ meats, and foods high in saturated and trans fats.

Is coffee bad for cholesterol?

Unfiltered and French press coffee may raise cholesterol levels, while instant and filter coffee are less likely to affect them . The risk of heightened serum cholesterol levels also depends on how much coffee a person drinks and how sensitive they are to caffeine.

What are 4 foods to avoid in a low cholesterol diet?

High intake of foods containing unhealthy fats (saturated fats and trans fats) – such as fatty meats and deli-style meats, butter, cream, ice cream, coconut oil, palm oil and most deep-fried takeaway foods and commercially baked products (such as pies, biscuits, buns and pastries).

5 High-Cholesterol Foods to Avoid - and Which Ones You Should Eat (2024)

Remember when experts said to avoid cholesterol-rich foods like eggs? The thought was that cholesterol in food raised your blood cholesterol and risk of heart disease. However, recent studies have found that some high-cholesterol foodsmay not raise your heart disease riskafter all.

Advertisem*nt

Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy

Still, this doesn’t mean you can ignore the amount of cholesterol you consume. “It’s safe to have some cholesterol in your diet,” says registered dietitianJulia Zumpano, RD, LD. “But many high-cholesterol foods also contain high amounts of saturated fat.”

Zumpano explains how to make sense of the confusing cholesterol advice out there, and what foods high in cholesterol are best to eat — or leave at the store.

High-cholesterol foods to avoid

While some cholesterol in your diet is fine, lots of saturated fat isn’t. Diets high insaturated fatare linked to increased blood cholesterol andheart diseaserisk.

Full-fat dairy

Whole milk, butter and full-fat yogurt and cheese are high in saturated fat. Cheese also tends to be high in sodium, and most Americans get too much sodium, too.

Limit cheese to about 3 ounces per week, and choose part-skim cheese such as Swiss or mozzarella when cooking. Drink skim (non-fat), 1% or 2% milk to get your calcium intake. Look for non-fat or low-fat yogurt varieties. Use extra-virgin olive oil or avocado oil instead of butter.

Red meat

Steak, beef roast, ribs, pork chops and ground beef tend to have high saturated fat and cholesterol content.

Choose 90% lean ground beef, lean cuts of beef (such as sirloin, tenderloin, filet or flank steak, pork loin or tenderloin), and focus on lower-fat sources of animal protein, such as baked skinless or lean ground poultry.

Processed meat

You should limit processed meat in general because of its high sodium content and low nutrition. In fact, bacon, sausage and hot dogs are usually made from fatty cuts of beef or pork.

If you must eat processed meat, choose minimally processed sausage or deli meatmade from lean turkeyor chicken.

Fried foods

French fries, fried chicken with skin and other foods cooked in a deep fryer have a high amount of saturated fat and cholesterol from the oil they’re cooked in.

A better choice is baked chicken or turkey without the skin, baked potatoes orbaked “fries”tossed with a little olive oil. Try using an air fryer for a lower-fat “fried” food taste.

Baked goods and sweets

Cookies, cakes and doughnuts usually contain butter or shortening, making them high in saturated fat and cholesterol.

They also tend to be full of sugar, which can lead to high levels of blood triglycerides, an unhealthy blood fat (lipid) that can be a risk factor for coronary heart disease.

Instead, make your desserts at home, choosing recipes that don’t need shortening or lots of butter. This also allows you to modify recipes and cut down the amount of sugar used, to half or three-quarters the recommended amount. You can also enjoybaked fruitas a dessert, or substitute applesauce for eggs or butter in your baking.

Best high-cholesterol foods to eat

These high-cholesterol foods can be part of a heart-healthy diet:

Eggs

The cholesterol in eggs gets a bad rap. One egg contains about 60% of the daily value of cholesterol, but it only contains 8% of your allowance for saturated fat. Eggs are high in protein, low in calories and contain B vitamins, iron and disease-fighting nutrients. If you do have to watch your cholesterol, stick to egg whites, which contain plenty of protein without any of the cholesterol.

Shellfish

Some types of shellfish are higher in cholesterol than others. Shrimp is notoriously high in cholesterol, packing in more than half of your daily value in a 3-ounce serving, but its saturated fat content is practically nonexistent. And shellfish is a good source of protein, B vitamins, selenium and zinc.

Lean meat

Certain kinds of lean meat are high in cholesterol but low in saturated fat. These include liver (and liver pate), kidney, sweetbreads, heart, and tripe. While you might not find these meats appealing, they are better options than processed or red meat.

Still, Zumpano says even if these foods are best eaten in moderation, especially eggs and shellfish. “They have nutritional benefits that may outweigh the cholesterol content. But if you have high cholesterol, eat limited amounts of these foods. Stick to a weekly intake of four egg yolks or two servings of shellfish.”

Moderation is key

You don’t have to eliminate all the unhealthy high-cholesterol foods in your diet. Most people can, in moderation, eat “healthy” high-cholesterol foods — those that have high cholesterol but low saturated fat content.

It’s most important to focus on your overall diet and make healthy choices most of the time. “Enjoy the less healthy foods as occasional treats, not as everyday meal choices,” Zumpano says.

And if you’re not sure where to start with a healthy eating plan, ask your healthcare provider. A licensed nutritionist or registered dietitian can customize a diet that works with your health goals.