5 Foods to consume for healthy cholesterol
This National Cholesterol Education Month, FoodFacts.com recently shared potentially life-saving ways to help you keep cholesterol levels in check. By being aware of your cholesterol levels, you can better manage your overall health and understand your risk for heart attack and stroke. To keep things simple, cholesterol can be viewed as both good and bad in nature, keeping in mind that we need certain kinds of cholesterol to thrive.
Good cholesterol or high-density lipoprotein (HDL) is crucial for neurological function, among other things. While there are several factors that contribute to your cholesterol levels, choosing to focus on a healthy diet can serve as a positive jumping off point for lowering cholesterol. By incorporating a few nutritional properties into your diet, you can boost the good, and make avoidance of the bad. Foods that naturally lower cholesterol don’t have to be complicated. They may already be in your pantry, just waiting for you to enjoy.
Avocados are loaded with heart-healthy nutrients. They’re high in monounsaturated fat, potassium, fiber and oleic acid. Think outside the box and be aware of how you’re consuming your avocados. Consider avocado salads, soups and smoothies without the added salt of more traditional pairings.
Varieties of nuts such as almonds, walnuts and peanuts provide the heart-healthy fats found in cholesterol friendly foods. Each type of nut will also host unique nutritional properties, like omega-3s and vitamin E. Consider portion control to be sure you’re indulging in just the right amount, and choose nuts that aren’t covered in seasoning or salt.
Eating a bowl of oatmeal for breakfast is an easy way to start your day off on the right track for heart health. The soluble fiber found in oats is also found in a variety of high fiber foods such as beans, rice, bran and most vegetables and fruits.
When choosing to focus to incorporate fish into your healthy-heart diet, fatty fishes are best. Think salmon, tuna and halibut to raise good fat and lower bad. These provide the omega-3 fatty acids and can aid to lower blood pressure.
When it comes to choosing berries, fresh or frozen will offer nutritional benefits to heart-health. Go with whichever allows you to add these foods into your diet. Try blueberries, strawberries, or raspberries. They don’t only work wonders to your heart, they also sate your sweet tooth!
Managing your diet is a step in the process of maintaining healthy cholesterol levels. Factors such as activity, stress and smoking are also major players in the fight for wellness.
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