Worst Foods for High Cholesterol
What are the worst foods for high cholesterol? – It’s been a trending topic on the internet these days. And, yes, you are already on the right path if you are searching for good foods to maintain a healthy lifestyle and keep cholesterol levels in sound shape.
Also, what you eat (and what not) has everything to do with your health and well-being. Eating foods that are rich in saturated and trans-fats can boost your cholesterol levels, which might increase the risks of coronary heart disease.
So, to avoid such health issues, you should include some fiber-rich and unsaturated fat-rich foods in your diet plan.
What are the Worst Foods for High Cholesterol? – The List
Cholesterol is a Full-of-Fat substance that is found in your blood. It mainly has two types – LDL (Low-Density Lipoprotein) and HDL (High-Density Lipoprotein).
LDL or Low-Density Lipoprotein – It is also called ‘bad cholesterol as it adds up to the fatty deposits in your blood, causing serious heart and health diseases.
HDL or High-Density Lipoprotein – It is also called ‘good cholesterol as it works as a shield against the substances that might cause heart and health diseases.
Following a balanced and heart-healthy diet is highly recommended to maintain good health and cholesterol levels.
Wondering what the worst foods for high cholesterol are? Let’s compile the list of foods that you should avoid right here.
The Foods to Avoid
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Processed Meats
Processed meats are counted as extremely high-cholesterol foods that are linked to increasing the risks of coronary heart disease.
You should limit the intake of such processed meats if you wish to stay clear of chronic health issues.
Not only serious heart issues, but a higher intake of processed meats can lead to colon cancer and other health conditions.
The extreme amount of salt, fat, and preservatives in processed meats is not good for health. One should not consume these meats more than the expert-recommended quantity.
Some examples of processed meats that should be avoided are:
- Bacon
- Sausages
- Salami
- Hot dogs
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Red Meat
Red meat contains a higher degree of saturated fats, which makes it a bad food that triggers your cholesterol levels. Consumption of red meat in higher amounts can lead to chronic heart diseases. The saturated and trans fats present in red meat increase blood cholesterol levels and can lead to serious health issues.
The red meats that you need to avoid when dealing with high cholesterol are:
- Beef
- Pork
- Goat
- Mutton
- Lamb
- Steak
What are the worst foods for high cholesterol? – Fried Fast Foods
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Fried Food Items
If you have diabetes and are dealing with obesity, then fried foods are a big NO for you. Fried foods are high in cholesterol and contain trans fats. are linked to increasing the risks of coronary heart disease.
Those who wish to stay clear of diabetes, fatness, and cholesterol issues should not include fried food items in their meal plan. Or, you need to limit the intake of fried foods, making it once a week or avoiding it whenever possible.
Fried foods that you should avoid are:
- French fries
- Chicken strips
- Deep-fried fish
- Cheese sticks
- Deep-fried meat
What are the worst foods for high cholesterol? – Artificial Sweeteners & Added Sugars
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Desserts & Sugar
Sugar has everything to do with your cholesterol levels and heart health. Higher sugar intake regularly can increase triglycerides and LDL bad cholesterol levels.
Artificially sweetened products and added sugars in food items make them bad for your health and can worsen your heart health.
When dealing with high cholesterol, diabetes, or other health issues, you need to make some dietary changes and avoid desserts and artificial sugars every time possible.
Well, this is the best you can do to stop the fatty deposits from building up in your arteries and lead to various heart diseases.
Some sugar-rich foods that you need to avoid are:
- Pastries
- Cake
- Ice cream
- Cookies
- Sweetened beverages
- High fructose corn syrup food items
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Alcohol
Drinking alcohol regularly also triggers cholesterol levels and can be highly dangerous for your heart health.
Consumption of alcohol in higher quantities can be harmful to overall health, as it increases triglycerides and LDL ‘bad cholesterol.’
If you are dealing with cholesterol issues or wish to follow a healthy lifestyle, you must exclude alcohol from your diet plan. Drinking too much alcohol can worsen your overall health and well-being.
You should consume more dietary fiber, omega-3, fish, and soy products to maintain and lower your cholesterol healthily.
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