Foods for Low Cholesterol

by Kate Aldrich

Overview

Lowering your cholesterol is vital for good heart health. According to the experts at the Mayo Clinic, making even a few small changes can make help you significantly lower your cholesterol. Try something as simple as adding these five foods for low cholesterol to your diet.
Oatmeal

Lower your LDL ("bad" cholesterol) with soluble fiber, which is in foods like oatmeal. Barley, prunes, kidney beans and apples are other good sources of soluble fiber.

Walnuts or Almonds

The polyunsaturated fats in walnuts keep blood vessels healthy. Almonds have the same effect, so add them to your list of foods for low cholesterol, too.
Fish

You have surely heard of the heart healthy properties of Omega-3 fatty acids by now. They are found in fish like salmon, lake trout and tuna.
Olive Oil

This is another food for low cholesterol that lowers your "bad" cholesterol level, thanks to its potent antioxidants.
Plant Sterols and Stanols

These powerful culinary weapons can lower your LDL cholesterol level by as much as 10 percent. You will find margarine, orange juice and yogurt drinks fortified with these sterols and stanols.
Meal Ideas

Try to add one of these foods for low cholesterol to at least two meals a day. For breakfast, try oatmeal with walnuts sprinkled on top. Have a yogurt drink with plant sterols and stanols with your lunch and baked salmon for dinner. Or, eat sterol and stanol fortified margarine on a whole wheat english muffin for breakfast, a leafy green salad drizzled with balsamic vinegar and extra virgin olive oil for lunch and brown rice topped with roasted, chopped almonds with your dinner.

References & Resources