Prohibited foods for cholesterol (or very little recommended)

Having high cholesterol, specifically LDL cholesterol, can encourage it to accumulate in arterial walls and increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. some food are especially harmful, either because they promote excess cholesterol or its oxidation. Those foods that are prohibited for cholesterol, or highly not recommended, should be avoided or eaten very sparingly.

High cholesterol: how to lower it

He cholesterol is a fat-like substance our liver naturally produces and that also we get through certain foods. It has an important role in the construction of cells and the production of hormones and helps the digestion of fats.

In this video we tell you what role cholesterol plays in the body and why not all cholesterol is bad:

Cholesterol is transported through the blood in particles called lipoproteins that can be of two types:

The low density lipoproteins (LDL) (often called “bad” cholesterol) carry cholesterol to cells throughout the body. However, if there is an excess or if they oxidize, they can accumulate on the walls of the arteries, form plaques and cause atherosclerosis and a increased risk of heart disease.The high-density lipoproteins (HDL) (“good” cholesterol) help to remove excess cholesterol of the body.

To help keep some healthy cholesterol levelsIn addition to practicing exercisefollow one healthy diet (rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts and healthy fats) and keep a healthy weightit is important to avoid or limit consumption of foods high in saturated or trans fatsas they contribute to increasing blood cholesterol.

Next, we review some of the most harmful foods if you have high cholesterol and which would therefore be “forbidden” foods or not recommended if you have cholesterol problems.

Foods that are prohibited for cholesterol (or not recommended): the list of the most harmful

These are the foods that should be eliminated from the diet or left for occasional consumption when you have high cholesterol or a tendency for cholesterol to rise, or as a preventive measure in general to have a healthy diet that does not favor cholesterol imbalances. They are foods rich in trans fats or saturated fats.

Fatty or processed meats

The fatty parts of the beef, pork and lamb They are high in saturated fat, which raises LDL cholesterol.

The processed meats (sausages, bacon, sausages…) are also foods high in saturated fat and its frequent consumption is related to higher rates of heart disease and certain types of cancer, such as colon cancer.

whole dairy

Full-fat dairy products, such as milk, cheese, butter or heavy creamThey contain saturated fat.

You can replace them with low fat options either plant products.

fried foods

Frying (especially in the deep fryer) increases energy density of food and causes them to absorb large amounts of oils which can raise cholesterol levels. Examples of these types of foods are chicken wings or onion rings.

In addition, regular consumption of fried foods has been linked to an increased risk of heart disease, obesity and diabetes.

processed snacks

Many processed snacks such as chips or cookies (sweet and salty) are made with unhealthy fats and can contain Trans fat.

It is always better to choose homemade snacks made with less fat and healthier cooking methods.

pastries and sweets

Cakes, tarts, cookies and others baked goods made with large amounts of butter, shortening, or hydrogenated oils they are generally high in unhealthy fats and should be limited.

In addition to being low in beneficial nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, protein, and healthy fats, they often have a lots of added sugarswhich is linked to obesity, diabetes, heart disease, mental decline, and certain types of cancer.

IS THE EGG BAD FOR CHOLESTEROL?

The egg is one of the foods that causes the most controversy and while before it was recommended to moderate its consumption, now it is believed that there is no problem in taking between 4 and 10 a week.

It is true that the yolks (but not the clear ones) have a high cholesterol contentbut his saturated fat content (which, along with trans fats, is what actually increases blood cholesterol) is reduced. Furthermore, it is rich in proteinlow in calories and contain B vitamins, iron and other nutrients.

In any case, if you have to control cholesterol, you can opt for other sources of protein (such as vegetal protein) or stay only with the egg whites.