If you need to start a low cholesterol diet, try a little TLC

If you need to lower your cholesterol, most doctors will tell you to start with your diet. Even if your doctor ultimately prescribes a cholesterol-lowering drug, you'll still see better results when you take your prescription in conjunction with a low cholesterol diet. One of the best known low cholesterol diets is the Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes Diet (TLC), promoted by the National Cholesterol Education Program. Following the TLC diet can reduce the risk of heart disease and heart attacks by reducing your blood cholesterol level. At the same time, you may succeed in losing a few pounds - always a healthy benefit! Basically, it's a low saturated fat, low cholesterol diet, with simple guidelines:

Consume only enough calories to maintain a healthy weight

• Saturated fat should comprise less than 7% of your total daily calories
• Only 25-30% of your total daily calories should be from fat
• Consume less than 200 milligrams of dietary cholesterol each day
• Daily sodium intake should be no more than 2400 milligrams

When you are on a low cholesterol diet like the TLC diet, you should look for foods that are high in soluble fiber. Some common high soluble fiber foods are oats, dried peas, dried beans, and certain types of fruits and vegetables. You can also try adding foods that contain plant sterols, like a cholesterol-lowering salad dressing.

The way you cook your food is also important when you are following a low cholesterol diets. Certain methods of food preparation will produce lower levels of saturated fat. You'll have to avoid the deep fryer, but you still have lots of yummy options. You can bake, grill, broil, or poach. And if you're in a hurry, you can use the microwave.

When you're on a low cholesterol diet, you'll have to avoid certain foods. For example, fried foods (high in saturated fat) and egg yolks (high in cholesterol). But if you are willing to make a few substitutions, you can still enjoy a well-balanced diet and many of your favorite dishes. Egg yolks are high in cholesterol, so use egg whites instead (they're cholesterol free!). You don't have to give up meat; you just need to switch to lean cuts of poultry or shellfish. Dairy products don't have to be a no-no if you buy the fat-free and skim varieties. And don't fret-you can still satisfy your sweet tooth! Although many baked goods are high in fat, we now live in a world of numerous fat-free desserts, even brownies and cookies.

Alternative Therapies | Bad Nutrients | Calculators | Detox Diets | Diabetic Diets|
Diet Pills and Supplements | Exercise | Facts | Free Diets | Habits | Weight and Health | Healthy Nutrients | Herbs | Low Carb Diets | Macrobiotic and Vegetarian Diets | Minerals | Miscellaneous Diets I | Miscellaneous Diets II | Natural Diets | Recipes | Tips | Vitamins and Enzymes | Weightloss Plans |

All Article Text on this site is copyrighted© 2006-2007 weightcontrolroom.com All rights reserved. Do not copy.
The info on this site is for informational purposes only and not medical info in any way, see disclaimer.