Nov

Cut Down On Food High In Cholesterol For A Healthy Heart

Food high in cholesterol is almost always high in taste too. If it tastes great it can't be healthy, whoever said that knew what they were saying. Does this imply that too eat healthy we have to give up what we like? No, the secret is moderation.

Foods with high concentration of saturated fats are foods high in cholesterol. When our intake of saturated fats is high, the liver reacts by producing too much of LDL, bad cholesterol. Fatty foods as such don't cause this. The cholesterol levels rise due to excessive saturated fats and triglycerides. Fatty foods containing unsaturated fats are actually heart friendly as they promote HDL, good cholesterol.

Most animal products are the source of highly saturated fats and triglycerides. Egg yolk, poultry, meat, fish and even high fat milk products are responsible for food high in cholesterol. Does this mean that being vegetarian is the only option open? Well vegetarian food, otherwise healthy, can also be a source of cholesterol and saturated fats if cooked improperly. All that fried stuff is food high in cholesterol and saturated fats.

The better option is not to avoid meat or vegetables but to see that they are cooked properly in the right way to maintain their health benefits. So it is not just eating right but also cooking right that matters.

There are plenty of foods which have very low or no cholesterol content. These foods if not cooked properly or fried or cooked with too much fat, can become disastrous food high in cholesterol. Coconut oil is a classic example of this. It has no cholesterol in it naturally but has saturated fat to hilt, thus any food cooked in it becomes high in cholesterol. The saturated fat makes the liver produce excessive LDL.

It is not just natural food that has cholesterol, but our main source of saturated fats and cholesterol are processed and packaged foods that we consume by cart full. All those in between munchies and snacks, sugary snacks and desserts that most of us love to eat are food high in cholesterol. It is not easy to give up these tasty treats, but if you want healthier levels of cholesterol it is worth the effort.

Look for healthy options. Cut down on food high in cholesterol and opt for healthy unsaturated fats to boost the production of HDL in the body.