Maintaining healthy cholesterol levels is key to living a long and healthy life. Unfortunately, high cholesterol levels can be common. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over 90 million adults in the U.S. have high cholesterol levels.
Thankfully, avoiding or limiting certain foods in the diet can help lower high cholesterol. To maintain healthy cholesterol levels, The American Heart Association recommends that only 5 to 6% of our daily diet should come from saturated fats.
Deep-Fried Foods
Few can resist diving into a plateful of crispy French fries or tender fried chicken, but they’re packed with unhealthy saturated fats. Deep-fried foods are high on the list of contributing to cholesterol levels.
Butter
A tablespoon of butter has approximately 7 grams of saturated fat. Although that’s not a dangerous amount, troubles can arise when consuming it daily. Those concerned about cholesterol levels should look at how much butter they consume per serving and how often.
Processed Meat
Processed meats contain high levels of unhealthy cholesterol. This includes foods like sausages, baloney, and, unfortunately, bacon. These types of foods should be eaten in moderation.
Ice Cream
That big bowl of delicious, creamy dessert you crave contains a high percentage of saturated fat. Ice cream is also usually topped with condiments that are also high in fat, such as chocolate sauce and whipped cream.
Choose Your Foods Wisely
One way to maintain healthy cholesterol levels is by choosing which foods to limit or avoid altogether. Although some of your favorite foods may be on the list, moderation is key. If you’re concerned about high cholesterol, consult a healthcare or dietary professional.
