Foods That Lower Your Cholesterol
Does an Apple a Day Keep the Doctor Away?
Have You Heard the Phrase...
Many people have heard the age-old saying: An apple a day keeps the doctor away.
Is there truth to this saying?
The answer is: Yes.
Apples are one type of food that is known to lower cholesterol, which gives context to this age-old saying.
Getting Blood Drawn
How Do I Check Cholesterol?
Most people have their blood tested when going to a new family physician. Blood tests also can be performed at work, if offered by your employer.
A blood test is very valuable, because it can check your cholesterol, HDL & LDL levels, and triglycerides present in the bloodstream.
To get your cholesterol ratio, take your total cholesterol and divide it by your HDL cholesterol. Doctors recommend a ratio of 4 to 1 or lower.
Getting a blood test is much like checking the oil in your car. You don't know how well you are doing unless you take the time to take care of yourself. Plus, this is one way of preventing major health scares down the road.
No Clue?
Most people are caught up in the rigors of everyday life to stop and worry about their health. The problem is that when the warnings signs of a heart attack occur, it is already too late.
Consider taking action to prevent heart disease, and get your blood tested.
Once you have received your test results, there are many ways to lower cholesterol.
Exercise is Important
Healthy Foods
Diet & Exercise
For those who which to achieve better health, the two most often heard things to do is: diet & exercise.
There are many food items that one can eat to lower cholesterol, but it is up to the person to make good decisions when it comes to eating. That may mean eating less at fast food restaurants, and more cooking at home.
If your health is at stake, don't wait until the warning signs overtake you!
Additional Tips to Lower Cholesterol
A Few Tips When Eating Out to Lower Cholesterol:
- Drink two full glasses of water before your meal
- Study the menu for healthy options; if possible decide what to order before going
- Remove tempting items from the table (butter, fatty sauces)
- Avoid foods that are: butter, buttered, fried, creamed, & escalloped
- Order foods that are: steamed, broiled, grilled, stir-fried, and roasted
- Have chef remove all skins from poultry
Source: High Cholesterol: Healthy Choices When Eating Out. WebMD.
Foods That Will Lower Your Cholesterol
The Following Foods are Known to Lower Cholesterol:
- Almonds
- Apples
- Barley
- Black Beans
- Broccoli
- Carrots
- Edamame
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- Flaxseed
- Lentils
- Liver
- Oatmeal
- Oranges
- Walnuts
- Whole Wheat
Foods that Lower Cholesterol
It Has to Be a Lifestyle Change that You Want
Eating healthy foods has to be a lifestyle choice. It is not an easy one. After you adopt your new eating habits, you will find it easier to stick with it if you stop going back to the unhealthy options.
Once you allow your body to cleanse itself of the fried foods, you will not crave them as much. If you allow yourself to get extremely hungry, your body may have a bigger craving for the fatty foods. To avoid this, make sure you have healthy foods on hand and healthy snacks planned out. Don't let yourself starve and then wonder why you went back to the fast food.
It is because you let your hunger dictate your diet instead of a conscious health decision.
Wouldn't you rather to choose a healthy lifestyle out of your own volition, instead of being forced to do it by a doctor that tells you that you have heart disease and you either change your diet, or die?
It is better to choose life now, than death later.
Reader Poll
Do you think you will eat more foods that will lower your cholesterol?
© 2012 Zack Love
