How do I avoid high cholesterol?
A recent study completed through the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that a high percentage of adults are living with undiagnosed high cholesterol. The study also found good news, though: between 1999 and 2006, the number of adults in the U.S. with artery-clogging LDL cholesterol decreased by approximately one-third. [1]
So what are some ways to avoid becoming one of the millions of Americans that suffer from high cholesterol?
*Limit the amount of high cholesterol foods you eat, such as eggs, liver, or desserts with high fat content.
*Avoid eating fried foods. Broil or bake instead.
*Trim fat off of the meat you are eating before cooking it.
*Use egg whites instead of whole eggs in recipes
*Choose to use fat free dairy products.
*Make sure your diet is high in soluble fiber. Some of these foods include oranges, oats, apples, carrots, and pears.
*Grains, grains, grains!! Eating at least three servings a day of grains (breads, cereals, crackers, pasta, and rice) can give your body antioxidants to help keep your body strong in fighting high cholesterol.
*Work out! Exercise is always good for you, so make sure to incorporate at least 30 minutes of aerobic activity into your daily routine. This has been proven to help reduce high cholesterol and make your body stronger in many other ways!
Try not to worry if you are diagnosed with high cholesterol. There are many tools to help manage it and keep it lower; it just takes a bit of effort to make sure you are eating well, exercising, and minimizing stress in your life.
[1] High cholesterol under treated in many Americans. Reuters.com. Accessed on the Web on November 21, 2009. http://www.reuters.com/article/healthNews/idUSTRE5AG5LV20091117
[2] How to avoid high cholesterol foods. eHow.com. Accessed on the Web November 22, 2009. http://www.ehow.com/how_2286381_avoid-high-cholesterol-foods.html
