In today’s fast-paced world, it’s easy to fall into the trap of consuming highly processed foods like instant meals, sugar-laden sweets, fast food, sausages, richly dressed salads, and brightly colored sugary drinks. If this sounds like your regular diet, consider making a shift. Opt for fresh, whole foods such as a variety of vegetables and fruits, low-fat dairy, lean meats and fish, legumes, and whole grains. For beverages, stick to water, herbal teas without sugar, or diluted natural fruit juices.
Upon learning you have elevated blood cholesterol, a common piece of medical advice might be to cut down on fats. However, the advice should be nuanced. While it’s true that a sedentary lifestyle combined with a high-fat diet may lead to increased cholesterol levels, completely eliminating fats from your diet isn’t the solution (and is nearly impossible to achieve). The key is to reduce consumption of animal fats and fats found in fried foods or saturated fats prevalent in many processed snacks and sweets. Instead, focus on incorporating more omega-3 fatty acids into your meals.
Be mindful of your cooking methods and the amount of fat you use. Opting for boiling, stewing, or dry roasting over frying in oil or on a fatty grill can make a significant difference. Also, watch out for hidden fats in sauces and dressings.
Fiber plays a crucial role in removing surplus cholesterol from the body. Boost your intake of vegetables, fruits, whole grains (like whole grain rye bread and oatmeal), and consider adding a fiber supplement such as psyllium if needed. Legumes and nuts are also excellent sources of fiber.
