Beef, lamb, pork, and other red meats are notorious for their high saturated fat content, which can spike cholesterol levels. Healthline suggests that it’s fine and even healthy to eat occasionally, but it’s wise to substitute red meats with fish or chicken, which have much lower saturated fat.
The regular consumption of butter, which is rich in saturated fat, can also be terrible for your heart. It might be delicious, but it’s high in cholesterol, so use substitutes like olive oil or other vegetable-based spreads to reduce risk, keeping your ticker in check.
Most people are aware that fried foods are cooked in oils loaded with trans fats, which can increase LDL (bad cholesterol) and decrease HDL (good cholesterol). Instead, opt for having fried food as an occasional treat, sticking to grilled or steamed dishes for your daily meals.
It’s an unfortunate part of life that the deliciousness of pastries, cookies, and cakes comes with not only high sugar but dangerous levels of cholesterol. Try to stick to fruit or experiment with healthier baking recipes, allowing you to enjoy sweet treats without heart concerns.
Used in many traditional baking and cooking recipes, lard is a type of fat that can clog your arteries to no end. We can deny that it makes many dishes taste so much better, but using it excessively will ultimately lead to a whole host of health problems.
Any dairy products that are full-fat, such as cream, whole milk, and cheese, are going to be very high in saturated fats. Thankfully, there are plenty of tasty alternatives, such as switching to skim or 1% milk, and using low-fat cheese options.
Many people don’t realize that butter alternatives such as margarine are packed with partially hydrogenated oils, a source of trans fats that are very harmful to cholesterol levels. When shopping, seek out non-hydrogenated versions, which are still healthier than butter but without the dangerous additions.
There’s no denying that coconut oil is exceptionally creamy while being much healthier than a lot of oils, but despite this, it’s still a significant source of saturated fat. To avoid overdoing it, heart-healthier oils, such as olive oil or sunflower oil, provide better fat profiles for those managing cholesterol.
Sausages, hot dogs, deli slices, and other processed meats are, unfortunately, packed with fats and salts, making them a deadly source of cholesterol. Instead of consuming these regularly, it’s wiser to consider lean meats, poultry, or plant-based proteins as alternatives, and save the hot dogs for the seasonal barbeque.
A lot of people overlook that the high content of sugar and saturated fat in ice cream makes it terrible for your cholesterol. Thankfully, there are plenty of lower-fat versions or fruit-based treats available these days, and you’ll be surprised at how satisfying yet healthy these can be.