Avoid Foods Which Contribute to High Cholesterol | The Prescription Shop

Cholesterol is a dense and fatty substance produced by the liver and found in every cell of the body. It serves a purpose in multiple life-sustaining functions, but too much of the wrong kind of cholesterol is not a good thing. Did you know that September is National Cholesterol Education Month? The Prescription Shop has tips to help you live a healthier life and avoid the dangers of high cholesterol. Here’s what you need to know.

According to the CDC, more than 30% of all adults in the US have high low-density lipoprotein (LDL), or “bad,” cholesterol. While there are no symptoms of high cholesterol, you may have inherited it through your genes or you may have acquired it through unhealthy dietary or lifestyle habits. The only way to know for certain whether or not you have high cholesterol is to get tested.

High LDL (“bad”) cholesterol increases your risk of heart disease and stroke–two leading causes of death in the US. The good news is that high “bad” cholesterol often can be successfully treated through a proper diet and regular exercise. Some folks may need to add a medication, as well, but your physician will help you make that decision.

How can I avoid high cholesterol?

It starts with a healthy lifestyle: proper diet and exercise.

Learn how to avoid the foods which can create high cholesterol levels in your body:

Limit saturated fats and oils.
That means you must limit butter, bacon drippings, lard, palm oil, coconut oil, and trans fats.

Limit fatty meats.
Fatty meats may include corned beef, pastrami, ribs, steak, hot dogs, sausage, bacon, liver, kidney, and processed meats such as bologna.

Limit meat, poultry, and fish to no more than 10 oz a day.

Limit your egg yolk consumption and choose egg whites instead.

Choose low-fat milk products.
Avoid cream, most cheeses, and nondairy coffee creamers or whipped toppings. Opt for fat-free or 1% milk and low-fat cheeses.

Limit foods with saturated or hydrogenated fat.
That means limiting many snack foods like crackers, muffins, quick breads, croissants, and cakes made with whole eggs or whole milk.

Avoid most fast food restaurants.
Hamburgers, fries, fried chicken, and tacos are usually are high in saturated fat. When dining out, order broiled sandwiches, salads with low-fat dressing, and foods that aren’t fried. Ask to omit toppings like cheese and mayonnaise.

Want to learn more? Check out some of these surprising facts about cholesterol.

This fall, we hope you’ll make The Prescription Shop a member of your health care support team! Our pharmacy is here to help you enjoy a healthier life, and we offer a variety of valuable services to that goal. You can visit our website today to learn more about our services.