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Low Cholesterol Diet

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General Recommendations
Making Food Choices
Reading Food Labels
Cholesterol is a type of fat found in foods that come from animals, such as meat, eggs and high fat dairy.  If we eat too many high fat foods, we can get too much cholesterol in our blood.  This can lead to problems with our heart and health. Use the suggestions below to keep your heart healthy.


General Recommendations

  • Choose low-fat dairy such as skim & 1% milk, low-fat yogurt and cheese
  • Exercise!  Ride your bike or take a walk for at least 30 minutes each day
  • Reach a healthy weight
  • Load up on fiber - get at least 5 servings of fruits & vegetables each day and use whole grain bread, rice and pasta
  • Avoid saturated and trans fats that can actually increase your cholesterol levels
  • Use unsaturated fats such as olive or canola oil to replace saturated fats like butter or lard
  • Try using non-fat cooking sprays to lower fat and calorie content of meals
  • Limit processed foods and fast food dining
  • Avoid foods containing “hydrogenated oils” or “partially hydrogenated oils”
  • Try more fish, baked chicken and lean meats

 

Low-Cholesterol Food Choices

Foods

 

 Smart Choices
(Lower in fat and cholesterol)

Eat Less of…..

Beef
Chicken
Fish

 
  • Lean cuts of beef
  • Chicken or turkey without skin (roasted or baked)
  • Ham
  • Low fat lunch meat
  • Pork, or baked fish
  • Trim excess fat before cooking
  • Fatty cuts of beef
  • Lamb
  • Chicken wings or chicken with skin
  • Salami
  • Bologna
  • Sausage
  • Bacon

Dairy

 
  • Skim or 1% milk
  • Non-fat yogurt
  • Low fat or part-skim cheese
  • Low fat cottage cheese
  • Whole milk
  • Whole milk yogurt
  • Natural cheeses
  • Whole milk cottage cheese

Eggs
  • Egg White
  • Egg Substitute (Egg Beaters)
  • Hint: use 2 egg whites to replace 1 whole egg
  • Whole egg or egg yolk

Fruits & Vegetables

 
  • Fresh
  • Frozen
  • Canned
  • Buttered vegetables
  • Creamed vegetables

Breads
Grains 
  • Whole grain breads, rice, pasta, and tortilla
  • Baked potato (with skin)
  • Oatmeal
  • Low fat crackers or Saltines
  • Commercial baked goods (pies, croissants, doughnuts, biscuits, pastries)
  • High fat crackers

Fats & Oils
  • Monounsaturated oils: canola, olive or flaxseed oil
  • Avocado
  • Nuts, (walnuts and almonds)
  • Low fat or fat free mayonnaise and salad dressings
  • Chocolate
  • Butter
  • Coconut or palm oil
  • Lard, Crisco or bacon fat
  • Mayonnaise
  • Salad dressings


Reading Food Labels

THIS TOOL DOES NOT GIVE MEDICAL ADVICE.
It is for informational use only. It does not take the place of getting advice from a doctor for diagnosis or treatment. Never ignore your doctor's advice or wait to get medical help because of something you have read on this site. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or dial 911 right away.  Read disclaimer information.