Choosing Foods That Lower Cholesterol

How do you choose foods that lower cholesterol?

Although it may seem like a daunting task at first, it is not that difficult. Please read on to learn how to lower cholesterol in using food. 

One of the simplest and most delicious ways to lower your cholesterol levels is by starting each day off with a bowl of oatmeal. The reason that oatmeal can help you to lower your cholesterol levels is because it contains a lot of soluble fiber. If you mix it with fruit, such as bananas or strawberries, the fiber levels increased even more. Soluble fiber can help to lower your levels of “bad” cholesterol.

Other whole grains, just like oatmeal, can help you to lower your risk of cholesterol levels and heart disease.

Beans are a rich source of the vegetarian protein. When they are mixed with whole grains, a form a “complete” protein.

Eggplant is an interesting vegetable which is very rich in fiber.

Most types of nuts, including almonds, walnuts, pecans, and hazelnuts, are great for the heart. Consuming about 2 ounces of nuts – which is roughly one handful – can help to lower levels of bad cholesterol. Nuts are also rich in omega three essential fatty acids and antioxidants which can help to protect the heart.

Remember that not all saturated fat is bad. For example, coconut oil, even though it is made up almost entirely of saturated fat, has actually been showing to benefit the heart, while reducing levels of bad cholesterol, and increasing levels of good cholesterol. This is because coconut oil contains medium chain triglycerides, which are a unique form of fat that the liver uses quickly for fuel before it can be stored and add to a person’s body weight. Contrary to popular belief, vegetable oils such as canola along with margarine are actually bad for the heart.

Apples, along with strawberries, are rich in pectin, which is great for cardiovascular health.

Choosing to eat fatty fish at least two or three times every week can help to lower levels of bad cholesterol. Fish is risking omega three fatty acids, which are an essential type of fat that we must get from our diet. They can help to lower the levels of triglycerides found in the blood stream and they also help to protect the heart, as well as mental and emotional health.

Want to learn more? Check out Foods That Lower Cholesterol, a site dedicated to natural heart health.