Liquid vegetable oils such as canola, safflower, sunflower, soybean and olive oil can often be used instead of solid fats, such as butter, lard or shortening. If you must use margarine, try the soft or liquid kind.

Pureed fruits or vegetables can be used in place of oil in muffin, cookie, cake and snack bar recipes to give your treats an extra healthy boost. For many recipes, use the specified amount of puree instead of oil. You can:. Some dishes, such as puddings, may result in a softer set. When it comes to cheeses used in recipes, you can substitute low-fat, low-sodium cottage cheese, part-skim milk mozzarella or ricotta cheese, and other low-fat, low-sodium cheeses with little or no change in consistency.

Let your cooking liquid cool, then remove the hardened fat before making gravy. Or use a fat separator to pour off the good liquid from cooking stock, leaving the fat behind.

Written by American Heart Association editorial staff and reviewed by science and medicine advisors. See our editorial policies and staff. About Cholesterol. HDL, LDL Cholesterol and Triglycerides. Genetic Conditions. Causes of High Cholesterol. How To Get Your Cholesterol Tested. Prevention and Treatment of High Cholesterol.

Cholesterol Tools and Resources. Home Health Topics Cholesterol Prevention and Treatment of High Cholesterol Cooking to Lower Cholesterol.

A recipe for better heart health A heart-healthy eating plan can help you manage your blood cholesterol levels and reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke. The simple cooking tips below will help you prepare tasty, heart-healthy meals that could help improve your cholesterol levels by reducing excess saturated fat and trans fat.

You can also look out for the Heart-Check mark on products at your grocery store. Reduce saturated fat in meat and poultry The American Heart Association recommends a diet that emphasizes fish and poultry and limits red meat. Here are some ways to reduce the saturated fat in meat: Select lean cuts of meat with minimal visible fat.

Lean beef cuts include the round, chuck, sirloin or loin. Lean pork cuts include the tenderloin or loin chop. Lean lamb cuts come from the leg, arm and loin. pdf Accessed May 22, Kumar P, et al. Lipid and metabolic disorders. In: Kumar and Clark's Clinical Medicine. Philadelphia, Pa.

Accessed May 22, Tangney CC, et al. Lipid lowering with diet or dietary supplements. Catapano AL, et al. Department of Health and Human Services and U. Department of Agriculture. Final determination regarding partially hydrogenated oils removing trans fat.

Food and Drug Administration. Accessed June 28, Cooking to lower cholesterol. American Heart Association. Fekete AA, et al. Whey protein lowers blood pressure and improves endothelial function and lipid biomarkers in adults with prehypertension and mild hypertensions: Results from the chronic Whey2Go randomized controlled trial.

American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Douglas PS. Exercise and fitness in the prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Accessed May 30, Hyperlipidemia adult. Rochester, Minn. Braun LT, et al. Effects of exercise on lipoproteins and hemostatic factors.

Smoke-free living: Benefits and milestones. Accessed May , Cardiovascular benefits and risks of moderate alcohol consumption. Accessed May 31, Bonow RO, et al. Risk markers and the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease.

In: Braunwald's Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine. Products and Services A Book: Mayo Clinic Family Health Book, 5th Edition Nutritional Supplements at Mayo Clinic Store Newsletter: Mayo Clinic Health Letter — Digital Edition.

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Hypothyroidism symptoms: Can hypothyroidism cause eye problems? Hypothyroidism underactive thyroid Lowering Triglycerides Menus for heart-healthy eating Metabolic syndrome Niacin overdose: What are the symptoms? Watermelon naturally contains lycopene, which has lipid lowering properties, reducing total and LDL cholesterol.

For those who aren't big on watermelon, consider adding apples, grapes, strawberries, citrus fruits or even avocados to your diet. All of these are rich in pectin , a type of soluble fiber that lowers LDL cholesterol.

Elizabeth Klodas is a cardiologist and founder of Step One Foods. Trained at Mayo Clinic and Johns Hopkins, Dr. Klodas has published dozens of scientific articles throughout her career, authored a book for patients, " Slay the Giant: The Power of Prevention in Defeating Heart Disease " and served as founding editor-in-chief of Cardiosmart.

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Having high blood cholesterol is a risk factor for developing heart disease. But did you know that you can reduce your cholesterol level by making smart food choices? The truth is, we need cholesterol to function.

Your body makes most of the cholesterol it needs. The rest comes from foods you eat. Foods that contain lots of saturated fat are the true culprits. In the last 20 years, the rules on healthy eating have shifted. Rather than zeroing in on a single nutrient, nutrition research shows the quality of your diet matters more.

A diet filled with the right portions of whole, unprocessed foods can help decrease heart disease and stroke. What does that look like? For a healthy, balanced eating plan:.

Home-cooking is usually more nutritious and wallet-friendly than eating out. If you see "partially hydrogenated" in the list of ingredients, pass that product by.

If trans fats aren't banned from restaurants in your area, ask if the cook uses partially hydrogenated oil before you order. Saturated fats and dietary cholesterol, which are derived primarily from animal products, aren't exactly heart-healthy, but it's all right to eat them in small amounts.

McManus says that because eggs are such a good source of nutrients, it's okay to have as many as four yolks a week and whites as often as you like.

She also gives a nod to red meat, shrimp, lobster, high-fat cheeses, butter, and organ meats—but only to small portions of each one every couple of weeks or so. Both polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fatty acids help lower LDL.

Most plant-derived oils, including canola, safflower, sunflower, olive, grapeseed, and peanut oils, contain both. Fatty fish such as salmon, tuna, trout, herring, and mackerel , seeds, nuts, avocados and soybeans are also great sources. Fruits and vegetables have scads of ingredients that lower cholesterol—including fiber, cholesterol-blocking molecules called sterols and stanols, and eye-appealing pigments.

The heart-healthy list spans the color spectrum—leafy greens, yellow squashes, carrots, tomatoes, strawberries, plums, blueberries. As a rule, the richer the hue, the better the food is for you. Whole grains are another good source of fiber. Instead of refined flour and white rice, try whole-wheat flour and brown or wild rice.

Old-fashioned oatmeal is also a good choice, but not the quick-cooking versions, which have had much of the fiber processed out. And don't substitute sugar for fat. Food manufacturers may boost the sugar content of low-fat salad dressings and sauces to add flavor.

If you see sugar, corn syrup, or any word ending in "ose" near the top of the list of ingredients, choose a higher-fat version without trans fats instead.

All fats , whether good or bad, have nine calories per gram—about calories a tablespoon. While you switch to a heart-healthy diet you may need to keep tabs on your calorie intake for a while. For more information, check out "11 foods that lower cholesterol.

As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content.

Please note the date of last review or update on all articles. No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.

Thanks for visiting. Don't miss your FREE gift. The Best Diets for Cognitive Fitness , is yours absolutely FREE when you sign up to receive Health Alerts from Harvard Medical School.

Trim all visible fat from meat before cooking. Broil rather than pan-fry meats such as hamburger, lamb chops, pork chops and steak. Use a rack to drain off fat when broiling, roasting or baking. Instead of basting with drippings, keep meat moist with wine, fruit juices or a heart-healthy oil-based marinade.

Cook a day ahead of time. Stews, boiled meat, soup stock or other dishes in which fat cooks into the liquid can be refrigerated. Later, remove the hardened fat from the top.

When a recipe calls for browning the meat first, try browning it under the broiler instead of in a pan. Eat chicken and turkey rather than duck and goose, which are usually higher in fat. Choose white meat most often when eating poultry. Remove the skin from chicken or turkey before cooking.

If your poultry dries out too much, first try basting with wine, fruit juices or a heart-healthy oil-based marinade. Or leave the skin on for cooking and then remove it before eating. Limit processed meats such as sausage, bologna, salami and hot dogs.

Such foods are often high in sodium, too. Read labels carefully and eat processed meats only occasionally. Eat less meat Try meatless meals featuring vegetables or beans.

Cook fresh vegetables the heart-healthy way Try cooking vegetables in a tiny bit of vegetable oil and add a little water during cooking, if needed. Use liquid vegetable oils in place of solid fats Liquid vegetable oils such as canola, safflower, sunflower, soybean and olive oil can often be used instead of solid fats, such as butter, lard or shortening.

Use a little liquid oil to: Pan-fry fish and poultry. Sauté vegetables. Make cream sauces and soups using low-fat or fat-free milk. Add to whipped or scalloped potatoes using low-fat or fat-free milk. Brown rice for Spanish, curried or stir-fried rice.

Cook dehydrated potatoes and other prepared foods that call for fat to be added. Make pancakes or waffles. Puree fruits and veggies for baking Pureed fruits or vegetables can be used in place of oil in muffin, cookie, cake and snack bar recipes to give your treats an extra healthy boost.

Flowers, chocolates, organ donation — are you in? What is a tongue-tie? What parents need to know. Which migraine medications are most helpful? How well do you score on brain health? Shining light on night blindness. Can watching sports be bad for your health?

Beyond the usual suspects for healthy resolutions. April 15, You can begin to reduce your "bad" LDL cholesterol naturally by making a few simple changes in your diet. Weed out trans fats and saturated fats There is so much evidence implicating trans fats in heart disease.

Eat more polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats Both polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fatty acids help lower LDL. Go crazy with colorful fruits and vegetables Fruits and vegetables have scads of ingredients that lower cholesterol—including fiber, cholesterol-blocking molecules called sterols and stanols, and eye-appealing pigments.

Avoid refined sugars and grains Whole grains are another good source of fiber. Remember to count your calories All fats , whether good or bad, have nine calories per gram—about calories a tablespoon. Share This Page Share this page to Facebook Share this page to Twitter Share this page via Email.

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Although omega-3 fatty acids have relatively little effect on LDL, they can help raise HDL cholesterol and help lower triglycerides , a type of fat found in your blood.

Studies have demonstrated a connection between consuming vegetables and reducing the risk of heart disease. Broccoli in particular is plentiful in soluble fiber, which does wonders for high cholesterol. Other cholesterol-busting vegetables to consider include spinach, Brussels sprouts and collard greens.

In addition to supplying a multitude of vitamins and antioxidants, eating vegetables regularly has been shown to help lower cholesterol , with higher intakes associated with progressively lower LDL levels.

Swap the sugar snacks for some sweet watermelon if you want to lower your cholesterol. Watermelon naturally contains lycopene, which has lipid lowering properties, reducing total and LDL cholesterol.

For those who aren't big on watermelon, consider adding apples, grapes, strawberries, citrus fruits or even avocados to your diet. All of these are rich in pectin , a type of soluble fiber that lowers LDL cholesterol. Elizabeth Klodas is a cardiologist and founder of Step One Foods.

Trained at Mayo Clinic and Johns Hopkins, Dr. Klodas has published dozens of scientific articles throughout her career, authored a book for patients, " Slay the Giant: The Power of Prevention in Defeating Heart Disease " and served as founding editor-in-chief of Cardiosmart.

Keep eating simple In the last 20 years, the rules on healthy eating have shifted. For a healthy, balanced eating plan: Get in the habit of filling half your plate with vegetables and fruit.

When buying canned produce look for packed in water and lower sodium or sodium free options. Choose whole grains. Look for whole grain breads, barley, oats including oatmeal quinoa, brown rice, bulgur, farro etc. Add more vegetarian options like beans, lentils, tofu and nuts to your weekly meal plans.

And opt for lean cuts of meat, poultry and fish. Choose lower-fat dairy products with no added sugar. As a rule of thumb, steer clear of highly processed foods, even if they are lower in fat content. Low-fat or diet foods are often loaded with calories, sodium and added sugar. Read Nutrition Facts panels and avoid foods that contain partially hydrogenated fat or vegetable shortening.

Cook at home Home-cooking is usually more nutritious and wallet-friendly than eating out.

Whole grains keep all parts of the grain intact. This provides them with more vitamins, minerals, plant compounds, and fiber than refined grains. Many types of fruit are rich in soluble fiber. This helps lower cholesterol levels by encouraging your body to get rid of cholesterol and stopping your liver from producing this compound.

Fruits have bioactive compounds like anthocyanins, fiber, and phytosterol which may have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. A study suggests that eating berries also helps increase HDL and lower LDL cholesterol.

It may seem too good to be true, but research suggests that dark chocolate and cocoa may lower LDL cholesterol. In a study , adults drank a cocoa beverage twice a day for 1 month. They experienced a reduction in LDL cholesterol of 0. Their blood pressure also decreased and their HDL cholesterol increased.

A review also found that several compounds in cocoa may help with cholesterol management. For example, polyphenols may prevent the LDL cholesterol in your blood from oxidation, while resveratrol may increase HDL cholesterol. However, chocolate is often high in added sugar, which negatively affects heart health.

Garlic contains various powerful plant compounds, including allicin. A meta-analysis suggests that garlic may help lower LDL and total cholesterol.

As such, garlic supplements may be more effective than other garlic preparations. Soybeans are a type of legume that may be beneficial for heart health. However, research on how they affect cholesterol is mixed.

For example, a review suggests that soybean oil may help lower LDL cholesterol when it replaces saturated fats. Similarly, a review of 35 studies linked soy foods to reduced LDL and total cholesterol, as well as increased HDL cholesterol.

To add more soy in your diet, try replacing meat with tofu or cooking with soybean oil. A review found that eating more than three servings of fruits and vegetables per day helped lower levels of tryglicerides, blood pressure, and LDL and total cholesterol.

A review of 37 guideline documents found that most of them suggested eating a diet high in vegetables. Some ways to get more vegetables in your diet include making soups, cauliflower pizza crusts, and smoothies.

You can also add vegetables to casseroles, sauces, and burgers. For example, a review of 31 studies found that green tea helps lower LDL and total cholesterol levels.

The primary compound in green tea responsible for these effects is catechins. These help lower inflammation, oxidation, and carcinogen levels. Black tea and white tea have similar properties and health effects on cholesterol.

Dark leafy greens, such as kale , spinach , and Swiss chard contain lutein and other carotenoids, which are linked to a lower risk of heart disease. Dark leafy greens may also help lower cholesterol levels. The authors of a study in rats suggest that this is done because they bind to bile acids and help your body excrete more cholesterol.

A study in guinea pigs also found that lutein lowers levels of oxidized LDL cholesterol and could help prevent cholesterol from binding to artery walls. Extra virgin olive oil is one of the most important foods in the heart-healthy Mediterranean diet.

A review compared the effects of olive oil with other plant-based oils on cholesterol levels. The researchers found that olive oil had a bigger impact on increasing HDL cholesterol.

Similarly, a review found that consuming 20 grams per day of olive oil helped increase HDL cholesterol. However, overall, the authors concluded that olive oil had minimal impacts on LDL, triglycerides, and total cholesterol. More research is needed to fully support olive oil as a cholesterol-friendly food.

However, some foods that may help lower your LDL cholesterol include dark leafy greens, legumes and beans, and green tea.

Some ways to lower your cholesterol include:. Some foods to avoid eating if you have high cholesterol include:.

High cholesterol levels are a major risk factor for heart disease. However, you may lower this risk by incorporating certain foods into your diet. Upping your intake of these foods will put you on the path to a balanced diet and keep your heart healthy.

Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. While they're not typically able to prescribe, nutritionists can still benefits your overall health. Let's look at benefits, limitations, and more.

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How Well Do You Sleep? Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Nutrition Evidence Based 13 Cholesterol-Lowering Foods to Add to Your Diet. Medically reviewed by Imashi Fernando, MS, RDN, CDCES — By Kerri-Ann Jennings, MS, RD — Updated on December 19, Legumes Avocados Nuts Fatty fish Whole grains Fruits and berries Dark chocolate Garlic Soy foods Vegetables Tea Leafy greens Olive oil FAQ Takeaway Some foods may help lower your cholesterol.

Types of cholesterol Cholesterol is a waxy substance that is carried through your body by lipoproteins. High blood cholesterol is one of the major controllable risk factors for coronary heart disease , heart attack and stroke. As your blood cholesterol rises, so does your risk of coronary heart disease.

Cholesterol is a fat found in the blood. There are two main types of blood cholesterol: high density or HDL cholesterol and low density or LDL cholesterol.

Dietary cholesterol — found in meat, poultry, eggs and regular dairy products — have less impact on blood cholesterol than foods with saturated and trans fat. Foods containing saturated fat include processed foods, fatty meats, full-fat milk products, butter and lard.

Foods containing trans fat include partially hydrogenated margarines, deep-fried foods and many packaged crackers, cookies and commercially baked products. Normal blood flow through healthy artery top and blocked blood flow in artery with yellow plaque and red blood clot bottom.

Your doctor will review your test results along with your risk factors, medical history and present health. People with familial or inherited high cholesterol levels have a much higher risk of heart disease early in life. If you or any of your family members have familial hypercholesterolemia, it is very important to be treated early.

What you eat has a huge impact on your health. Highly processed foods are a major source of saturated fat and are usually high in calories, salt sodium and sugar. Saturated fat increases LDL or bad cholesterol levels in the blood. Being overweight or obese increases your LDL or bad cholesterol level, lowers your HDL or good cholesterol level and raises your triglyceride levels.

Reducing your weight is a positive way to reduce your blood cholesterol levels. Being physically active will help improve your cholesterol levels and general heart health.

Aim for minutes a week. That is less than 25 minutes per day! Smoking is a risk factor for heart disease. Once you quit, within a few weeks your HDL levels will start to rise.

Almost every packaged food will have an ingredient listing which is listed in descending order starting with the ingredient in the highest amount.

The package will also contain a Nutrition Facts Table that provides information on a single serving size and the calories and nutrients a serving contains. All of the nutrient information is based on a single serving. You will find information on the amount of fat, cholesterol, sodium, carbohydrate, fibre, sugars, protein and some vitamins and minerals.

When reviewing the Nutrition Facts Table on a package, always look at the sodium and trans fat values. If you have a high cholesterol level, you may also need to look at the cholesterol value. Plant sterols occur naturally in small amounts in vegetable oils, nuts, whole grains, vegetables and fruit.

It is recommended that you consume 2g of plant sterols per day to help lower your LDL cholesterol. Foods in Canada are now allowed to have up to 1g of plant sterols per serving added to them. Look for foods fortified with plant sterols such as mayonnaise, margarine and salad dressing. Dietary fats and oils provide our bodies with energy, provide essential fats and help absorb fat soluble vitamins such as A, D, E and K.

Both the quality and amount of fat you eat matters. It is important to not focus on just one nutrient — it is your overall diet that will make the biggest difference to your health. Saturated fat intake should not be an issue if you are eating a healthy, balanced diet, few or no highly-processed foods and appropriate portion sizes.

Sometimes diet and exercise are not enough to lower your blood cholesterol levels. Several drugs are available to lower your blood cholesterol.

Your doctor may prescribe medications to including statins and other cholesterol lowering medication. How to manage your cholesterol PDF. Find health eating tips here.

Learn more about other risk factors for heart disease. Donate now. Jump to What is blood cholesterol? Diagnosis Understand your test results Prevention and management Nutrition labelling Plant sterols Dietary fats Medication to lower cholesterol Related information.

What is blood cholesterol? Cholesterol is naturally made by your body but is increased through our diet. Diagnosis Understand your risk The only way to know if you have high cholesterol levels is to have a simple blood test. Understand your test results Your test results will include: HDL cholesterol good cholesterol - good to have a high number LDL cholesterol bad cholesterol - good to have a low number Non HDL cholesterol total cholesterol — HDL cholesterol - good to have a low number Triglycerides - high reading may be tracked over time Your doctor will review your test results along with your risk factors, medical history and present health.

Fatty fish such as salmon, tuna, trout, herring, and mackerel , seeds, nuts, avocados and soybeans are also great sources. Fruits and vegetables have scads of ingredients that lower cholesterol—including fiber, cholesterol-blocking molecules called sterols and stanols, and eye-appealing pigments.

The heart-healthy list spans the color spectrum—leafy greens, yellow squashes, carrots, tomatoes, strawberries, plums, blueberries. As a rule, the richer the hue, the better the food is for you. Whole grains are another good source of fiber.

Instead of refined flour and white rice, try whole-wheat flour and brown or wild rice. Old-fashioned oatmeal is also a good choice, but not the quick-cooking versions, which have had much of the fiber processed out.

And don't substitute sugar for fat. Food manufacturers may boost the sugar content of low-fat salad dressings and sauces to add flavor. If you see sugar, corn syrup, or any word ending in "ose" near the top of the list of ingredients, choose a higher-fat version without trans fats instead.

All fats , whether good or bad, have nine calories per gram—about calories a tablespoon. While you switch to a heart-healthy diet you may need to keep tabs on your calorie intake for a while.

For more information, check out "11 foods that lower cholesterol. As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles. No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.

Thanks for visiting. Don't miss your FREE gift. The Best Diets for Cognitive Fitness , is yours absolutely FREE when you sign up to receive Health Alerts from Harvard Medical School.

Sign up to get tips for living a healthy lifestyle, with ways to fight inflammation and improve cognitive health , plus the latest advances in preventative medicine, diet and exercise , pain relief, blood pressure and cholesterol management, and more.

Get helpful tips and guidance for everything from fighting inflammation to finding the best diets for weight loss from exercises to build a stronger core to advice on treating cataracts.

PLUS, the latest news on medical advances and breakthroughs from Harvard Medical School experts. Sign up now and get a FREE copy of the Best Diets for Cognitive Fitness. Stay on top of latest health news from Harvard Medical School. Recent Blog Articles. Flowers, chocolates, organ donation — are you in?

What is a tongue-tie? What parents need to know. Which migraine medications are most helpful? How well do you score on brain health? Shining light on night blindness. Can watching sports be bad for your health? Beyond the usual suspects for healthy resolutions. April 15, You can begin to reduce your "bad" LDL cholesterol naturally by making a few simple changes in your diet.

Weed out trans fats and saturated fats There is so much evidence implicating trans fats in heart disease. Eat more polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats Both polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fatty acids help lower LDL.

Go crazy with colorful fruits and vegetables Fruits and vegetables have scads of ingredients that lower cholesterol—including fiber, cholesterol-blocking molecules called sterols and stanols, and eye-appealing pigments. Avoid refined sugars and grains Whole grains are another good source of fiber.

Remember to count your calories All fats , whether good or bad, have nine calories per gram—about calories a tablespoon. That's one reason beans are a useful food for folks trying to lose weight.

With so many choices — from navy and kidney beans to lentils, garbanzos, black-eyed peas, and beyond — and so many ways to prepare them, beans are a very versatile food. Eggplant and okra. These two low-calorie vegetables are good sources of soluble fiber. A bushel of studies shows that eating almonds, walnuts, peanuts, and other nuts is good for the heart.

Nuts have additional nutrients that protect the heart in other ways. Vegetable oils. Using liquid vegetable oils such as canola, sunflower, safflower, and others in place of butter, lard, or shortening when cooking or at the table helps lower LDL.

Apples, grapes, strawberries, citrus fruits. These fruits are rich in pectin, a type of soluble fiber that lowers LDL.

Foods fortified with sterols and stanols. Sterols and stanols extracted from plants gum up the body's ability to absorb cholesterol from food. Companies are adding them to foods ranging from margarine and granola bars to orange juice and chocolate.

They're also available as supplements. Eating soybeans and foods made from them, like tofu and soy milk, was once touted as a powerful way to lower cholesterol. Fatty fish. Eating fish two or three times a week can lower LDL in two ways: by replacing meat, which has LDL-boosting saturated fats, and by delivering LDL-lowering omega-3 fats.

Omega-3s reduce triglycerides in the bloodstream and also protect the heart by helping prevent the onset of abnormal heart rhythms. Fiber supplements. Supplements offer the least appealing way to get soluble fiber. Two teaspoons a day of psyllium, which is found in Metamucil and other bulk-forming laxatives, provide about 4 grams of soluble fiber.

When it comes to investing money, experts recommend creating a portfolio of diverse investments instead of putting all your eggs in one basket.

The same holds true for eating your way to lower cholesterol. Adding several foods to lower cholesterol in different ways should work better than focusing on one or two. A largely vegetarian "dietary portfolio of cholesterol-lowering foods" substantially lowers LDL, triglycerides, and blood pressure.