It is important to regulate your cholesterol levels, as your cholesterol plays a pretty significant role in heart disease. There are two types of cholesterol levels, LDL “bad” cholesterol and “good” HDL cholesterol. Like most things to do with your body and your health, your cholesterol levels are affected most by your diet. Below are some foods that you can include in your diet to lower your LDL cholesterol levels.
Foods to Eat to Lower Your Cholesterol Levels
Legumes
Legumes, otherwise known as pulses, are a group of plant food proteins that include lentils, beans, and peas. They have everything you need to lower your cholesterol levels: minerals, fiber, and protein. Studies have found that eating half a cup of legumes a day will lower your “bad” LDL cholesterol by an average of 6.6 mg/dl.
Avocados
Avocado is on many different lists of healthy foods because it has so many benefits. It helps to raise your “good” HDL cholesterol and lower your “bad” LDL cholesterol through its monounsaturated fat and dietary fiber content. Try cooking with avocado oil instead of vegetable oil to easily incorporate the avocado into your diet.
Nuts
Nuts are nutrient dense powerhouses that are filled with protein, dietary fiber, and omega-3 fatty acids. They make for great snack foods because you only need to eat a few of them to fill charged up for hours. They also help you to cut down on your snack cravings and portion sizes by acting as a meal supplement. That aspect combined with their nutrients makes them great foods for lowering your cholesterol.
Fatty Fish
Fatty fish like, salmon and tuna are filled to the brim with omega-3 fatty acids. This is great for people with high cholesterol as omega-3s have the ability to increase HDL cholesterol levels and simultaneously lowerinflammation.
