Cut back on the cholesterol and total fat, especially saturated and trans fats, that you eat. Saturated fats,
like those in meat, full-fat dairy products and some oils, raise your
total cholesterol. Trans fats, which are sometimes found in margarines
and store-bought cookies, crackers and cakes, are particularly bad for
your cholesterol levels. Trans fats raise low-density lipoprotein (LDL),
the "bad," cholesterol, and lower high-density lipoprotein (HDL), the
"good," cholesterol.
In addition to changing your diet, keep in mind that making additional heart-healthy lifestyle changes are key to lowering your cholesterol.
Talk to your doctor about exercising, quitting smoking and maintaining a
healthy weight to help keep your cholesterol level low.
What are triglycerides?
Triglycerides are the most common type of fat in your body. They’re also a major energy source. They come from food, and your body also makes them. High levels of blood triglycerides are often found in people who have high cholesterol levels, heart problems, are overweight or have diabetes.
What about fats?
There are different kinds of fats in the foods we eat. Saturated fat is the kind that raises blood cholesterol, so it’s not good for you. Avoid animal fats like lard and meat fat, and some plant fats like coconut oil, palm oil and palm kernel oil. Trans fat comes from adding hydrogen to vegetable oils and tends to raise blood cholesterol. It’s used in commercial baked goods and for cooking in most restaurants and fast-food chains. It’s also in milk and beef. Polyunsaturated fats are found in vegetable oils and fish oils. These tend to lower blood cholesterol. Monounsaturated fats are found in olive, canola, peanut, sunflower and safflower oils. In a low-saturated-fat diet, they may lower blood cholesterol.
Triglycerides are the most common type of fat in your body. They’re also a major energy source. They come from food, and your body also makes them. High levels of blood triglycerides are often found in people who have high cholesterol levels, heart problems, are overweight or have diabetes.
What about fats?
There are different kinds of fats in the foods we eat. Saturated fat is the kind that raises blood cholesterol, so it’s not good for you. Avoid animal fats like lard and meat fat, and some plant fats like coconut oil, palm oil and palm kernel oil. Trans fat comes from adding hydrogen to vegetable oils and tends to raise blood cholesterol. It’s used in commercial baked goods and for cooking in most restaurants and fast-food chains. It’s also in milk and beef. Polyunsaturated fats are found in vegetable oils and fish oils. These tend to lower blood cholesterol. Monounsaturated fats are found in olive, canola, peanut, sunflower and safflower oils. In a low-saturated-fat diet, they may lower blood cholesterol.
