Diet to Lower Cholesterol

Losing or Maintaining Weight While Following a Diet to Lower Cholesterol

People who are overweight usually have higher blood cholesterol levels than people at a healthy weight. When you reduce the fat in your diet, you cut down on the richest source of calories, as well as on saturated fat and cholesterol. An eating pattern high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat or nonfat dairy products and a moderate amount of lean meat, skinless poultry, and fish is a good way to lose weight and improve your blood cholesterol.

 

To maintain or lose weight on a diet to lower cholesterol, try eating five to six mini-meals a day. Skipping meals often leads to overeating of foods that are high in cholesterol. Consequently, eating smaller meals more frequently will allow your body to:

 

Things to Remember With a Diet to Lower Cholesterol

Following a diet to lower cholesterol is just one part of a lifestyle plan to arrive at a healthy cholesterol level. The goal of diet, physical activity, weight loss, and cholesterol medicine is to keep your blood cholesterol under control. If you go off your treatment, your blood cholesterol will go up again -- and so will your risk for heart disease. You need to continue your cholesterol-lowering strategies for life.

 

Many people find lifelong changes -- such as sticking with a diet to lower cholesterol -- difficult to manage. It is important to remember that because you may not always stick with your new diet or exercise plan, you are not a failure -- you're just human. The most important part of your new healthy lifestyle is learning how to overcome these challenges and quickly return to your goal.