Diet Changes

Diet changes may decrease your LDL (bad) cholesterol by 15-25 mg/dl. For every 1% decrease in your total cholesterol, you decrease your risk for heart disease by 2%.

A heart-healthy eating plan is low in saturated fat and dietary cholesterol, with total fat around 30% of total calories. This helps reduce blood cholesterol. Eating foods containing more fiber, such as beans, can also help reduce blood levels of cholesterol.

A registered dietitian (RD) can help you find the best amounts of fats, carbohydrates, and proteins in your food choices to lower your cholesterol, maintain healthy weight, and have good blood-sugar control.

The following suggestions can help you eat low-fat meals:

1. Select lean meats and cook with little or no fat.
2. Choose low-fat or fat-free milk products.
3. Eat less meat, cheese, and bacon.
4. Eat low-fat breads and starchy foods, such as potatoes, rice, and beans.
Remember that sweets, such as pastries and chocolate, are often also high in fat.