Lower the Saturated Fats

Fats fall into one of three groups.
Saturated fat: Increases total cholesterol in your blood and the risk of heart disease. These fats are usually solid at room temperature and are found in animal fats (meat, butter, lard, bacon, cheese); coconut, palm, and palm kernel oils; dairy fats; and hydrogenated vegetable fats, such as vegetable shortening and stick margarine.

Monounsaturated fat: Lowers total cholesterol, does not affect HDL (good) levels, and may reduce triglyceride levels. Food sources are olive oil, peanut oil, canola oil, olives, avocados, and nuts (except walnuts, which are polyunsaturated).

Polyunsaturated fat: Lowers total cholesterol levels but may also lower HDL (good) levels. Food sources are vegetable oils, such as corn, safflower, soybean, sunflower, and cottonseed.