Laying Low: 5 Foods to Avoid If You Have High Cholesterol

In today’s society, weight issues, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol are all on the rise (no pun intended) and that is leading to an increase in heart attacks and a plethora of other health issues.  While it might not seem that bad when the doctor mentions to you that your cholesterol is a “little high”, this can be a serious problem if ignored and left unmanaged.

While you don’t need to immediately jump to measures such as medication, there are simple ways you can improve your cholesterol by making some better choices in your lifestyle.  In addition to increasing your amount of exercise and physical activity, it’s usually wise to evaluate your diet and determine which food choices might be negatively affecting your cholesterol.  Some food choices (like liver, yuck!) aren’t that hard to say no to, but others might be a struggle, or you might not even know that they are a bad choice for you!  Here are 5 foods to avoid if you are trying to better your health by lowering your cholesterol levels…

1. Muffins. This one might be shocking, but with ingredients like milk, butter, and eggs, most muffins are not the best breakfast choice if you are trying to cut out cholesterol.  If you DO choose to eat a muffin for a breakfast on the go, choose one that is high in fiber, and low in fat, such as a whole-wheat bran muffin.
2. Shellfish. While seafood can have some wonderful health benefits, if you are avoiding high fat and high cholesterol, shellfish such as crab, lobster, shrimp,etc. should probably be cut out, or at the very least, minimized, in your diet.  If you have a craving for ocean cuisine, opt for a grilled or broiled fish option instead.
3. Macaroni and Cheese. This one isn’t very surprising, and doesn’t require much explanation. We know it’s a bummer if you are wanting to relive your childhood, but that creamy bowl of goodness just isn’t a good choice.
4. Eggs. …or at least, the yolks.  Egg yolks are high in cholesterol, and should be eaten in moderation.  They don’t have to be eliminated completely, so don’t dismiss your favorite breakfast omelet immediately.  Doctors say if you eat 4 egg yolks or less on a weekly basis, then you are probably fine since this hasn’t been proven to raise cholesterol levels.  Need more filler?  Egg whites are a good choice.  Throw a couple in with your one regular egg and you have great flavor without all the extra cholesterol!
5. Red Meat. Beef, pork, and lamb are all higher in saturated fat and cholesterol than their counterparts like chicken or fish.  While you don’t have to eliminate red meat totally (it does have benefits like iron and significant protein) it should be limited and cooked in a healthy manner.  In other words, a small portion of steak on the grill is a much better choice than the 1/2 lb. burger you were eyeing.  To keep protein in your diet without all the health risks, beans, salmon, and chicken are all excellent choices to throw into your weeknight dinner plan.

We know that it can be hard to change your eating habits, but it’s much better to prevent health issues from developing than having to treat them after they have turned into a much larger issue. The same is true of your health coverage!  Making sure you stay up to date on preventative care appointments is a much smarter choice than only going in once something is wrong.

Not sure what “preventative care” includes or if your health coverage plan allows for it?  We can help!  Carroll Marshall Insurance can let you know exactly what is covered in your plan, and if it doesn’t meet your needs, we are here to help you put together a package that will cover you without blowing your budget.  We are happy to help our Polk County friends and neighbors stay healthy by making sure they are covered!