Many foods are now advertising “heart healthy” and “low cholesterol” on their labels so it will be easier to decide which foods are right for your meal plan. Work with your doctor to create a low-cholesterol diet and then preplan meals each week. Giving yourself time to plan meals will also allow you to create grocery lists specific to your heart health needs reducing the hasty meal purchases on the way home from work.

I am sure that you and your doctor have discussed many treatment options for lowering your cholesterol to safe levels but treatment can start at home

Making a commitment to a change in your lifestyle to include a healthy diet will not only increase your overall well being but it will put you on the right path to bringing those numbers down.

Just adjust your meals to include balanced levels of vegetables, starches, and meat. Choose foods with complex carbohydrates such as starch and fiber. Eat less high fat and high cholesterol food. Exchange saturated fat for foods with unsaturated fat. These healthy fats are found in vegetable oils and fish. Cholesterol is found in animal based foods such as meat, eggs, and dairy products. Does this mean you have to cut out the burgers and steaks? Not entirely. In order to limit your intake of meats, incorporate fish and seafood into your diet. These foods contain omega-3 fatty acids which are an essential unsaturated fatty acid that the body cannot make. Eating at least one source of omega-3 fatty acid containing food daily will help lower your triglyceride levels which are also associated with high cholesterol.

If you crave eggs and toast for breakfast, substitute egg beaters and reduced fat milk for less cholesterol intake. Throw out butter and margarines for olive oils and plant based spreads. Eat a salad for lunch instead of a sandwich to balance out the starches and include some grilled chicken for a little extra protein. Commercially prepared salad dressings may contain unhealthy fats so read labels carefully or make your own dressing using extra virgin olive oil and red wine vinegar. Eating small meals throughout the day will allow for a more hearty dinner. Choices like potatoes, steamed vegetables, and various lean red meats or fish will not only be satisfying but provide healthy sources of protein, energy, and beneficial alternatives. In order to refrain from choosing unhealthy snacks and ingredients, plan ahead to buy canned and dry beans, fresh fruits, whole grains, and vegetable juices.