How to Reduce Cholesterol Through Diet

Finding out that your cholesterol numbers are too high can be scary. You have heard about LDL (bad cholesterol) being linked to heart disease, and you want to do whatever you can to get your numbers down. It is possible to make certain dietary changes so that you can attain that goal.

Step 1

Sign up for a cooking class with an emphasis on reducing cholesterol. Your doctor may be able to refer you to one, or you can call your local hospital to find out what classes they offer. You can also find many books and online recipe sites that offer specific ideas for low cholesterol dishes that you can prepare at home.

Step 2

Incorporate at least one serving of oatmeal into every day. Whether you eat the oatmeal with berries on top, hide it in your meatloaf or sprinkle it over vegetables, eating oatmeal has been proven to have a reducing effect on cholesterol numbers.

Step 3

Eat cereal. Cereals that are not filled with refined sugar and are made with grains, including oat grains can help you reduce your cholesterol. Eating a bowl each morning or as a snack in the afternoon is an easy way to make sure you remember to get it into your system.

Step 4

Learn how to cook with less red meat and more beans. Beans are on the Mayo Clinic’s list of five foods to eat when trying to reduce your cholesterol. Beans are a valuable fiber source and provide protein for stable blood sugar. They can be prepared in a variety of ways, and there are many types of beans to choose from.

Step 5

Stock different types of nuts in the food pantry. Nuts don’t have to just come out during holidays. Whether you eat walnuts, almonds or a variety of mixed nuts, you are taking steps to lower those LDL numbers.

Step 6

Practice healthy cooking habits, such as removing fat from meat before cooking, using oils low in saturated fats, and broiling or baking instead of frying. Learn to use spices and herbs instead of butter and salt.