Cholesterol is part of our body and, in fact, is essential for our body to function properly. However, we must have a good balance in cholesterol levels so that, thus, we really find ourselves in a healthy state. If we have cholesterol too high, our health may be compromised, and we can experience diseases that can be dangerous.
In this sense, you should know that eating is basic to care for cholesterol levels in the blood. Betting on a healthy and balanced diet, as well as exercising, is essential for stronger health. In this article we will discover what foods are prohibited for cholesterol and that you should avoid including in your diet. Pay attention!
What foods are forbidden if I have high cholesterol?
High cholesterol is also known as bad cholesterol or LDL. It is a condition that increasingly affects a greater part of the world’s population but can be regulated by good food practice and more active life. In addition, there are some foods that are harmful to health and that increase the levels of cholesterol in the blood, so we will have to avoid them if we want to enjoy a body in better condition.
Milk and Dairy Products
Dairy is one of the foods banned for high cholesterol. But not just any type of dairy: only whole-fat dairy products; therefore, you can consume skim milk on a daily basis. So, remove from your pantry yoghurt, butters or whole milks and, failing that, replace them with skim or vegetable versions, in the case of butter.
In this regard, we must also mention cheeses. This type of food is not recommended in the case of high cholesterol, although it is true that everything will depend on the variety we take. Cheese that has been very cured such as brie, Emmental cheese or Parmesan are the ones with the most saturated fats and, therefore, those that most affect cholesterol levels; on the other hand, sheep or goat levels barely affect.
Red meat
You should also regulate the consumption of meats such as veal, some cuts of the pork, lamb or ox. These foods are rich in saturated fats and, also, in cholesterol. In the event that we want to consume a portion we will always have to bet on the lighter and fatter cooking methods: grilling, baking, etc. Avoid over-consumption of sauces or oils because it would increase the amount of fat and directly affect cholesterol levels.
Sugary foods
All sweet foods from industrial pastries or sugars should also be avoided in a diet to lower cholesterol. This type of food gives us a lot of sugars, but also of trans and saturated fats.
More foods banned for cholesterol
In addition to the ones, we just told you, here’s a list of other foods that also harmfully affect cholesterol levels:
Sausages. They have a lot of salt, lots of fat and a high level of cholesterol. They can also reduce the level of HDL (good) cholesterol in the blood.
The egg yolk. Cholesterol has always been linked to eggs, however, it is only the yolk the part that we should avoid from this ingredient, as it is where a large amount of fat resides. The clear one we can take it smoothly.
Seafood. And finally, another of the foods banned for cholesterol are seafood. The reason is that prawns or prawns have a lot of cholesterol, so we should reduce their intake.
Bibliography
– Tudela, V. (2012). Cholesterol: the good and the bad. Fund for Economic Culture.
– Guardiola, F., Codony, R., Rafecas, M., & Boatella, J. (1995). Formation of oxidized cholesterol derivatives in food. Fats and oils.
– Arroyo, J., Raez, E., RodrÃguez, M., Chumpitaz, V., Burga, J., De la Cruz, W., & Valencia, J. (2007). Reduced cholesterol and increased antioxidant capacity due to chronic consumption of purple corn (Zea mays L) in hypercholesterolemic rats. Peruvian Journal of Experimental Medicine and Public Health, 24 (2), 157-162.