Cholesterol is a fatty substance that is used by the body to make cell membranes and some hormones. 25% of the cholesterol we need comes from the food we eat; the rest is made by your liver and body cells.
Did you know that Cholesterol plays an important role in your body. Like everything in life too much cholesterol can lead to cardiovascular disease and is not good for you.
When it comes to lowering one’s cholesterol levels, it is a must that one changes his or her eating lifestyle. Cholesterol buildup in the body is actually caused by eating way too much of the sinful types of food like processed meat, fried food, sugar rich foods and beverages like chocolates (although dark chocolate 70% and up, the bitter kind is actually proven to help lower one’s cholesterol levels) and soft drinks.
1. Eliminate Catalyst Factors
It is also important to note that people who have bad lifestyle habits are the usual targets of having incredibly high cholesterol levels. Smoking and drinking are the common vices that people, not only those who are suffering from high cholesterol levels, should eliminate once and for all from their systems.
Make cholesterol level screening part of your annual check up. Try to exercise. An active, healthy body makes more of the good cholesterol. Watch your weight and maintain a healthy BMI range.
There is also always the exception to the rule. Where some people have a tendency to make too much bad cholesterol due to a genetic condition. (Cholesterol can be hereditary - They can be perfectly healthy, fit and eat a good diet.)
That is why it
is important to be screened for cholesterol levels, even if you think
you are low risk.
2. Cooking With No Cholesterol In Mind
- Dietary changes are the best way to control cholesterol levels in the body, but try opting eating healthy foods that are low in cholesterol, trans fats and saturated fats. Eat plenty of dietary fibre which also helps to control cholesterol levels.
- When buying cereals or microwavable pre-packed foods like T.V. dinners look at the labels on the side of the box to ensure that you are not going to take in excess calories and fat
- Being aware of what you take in is the first step in lowering high cholesterol
- Avoid restauraunts and fast food places that offer all you can eat meals or incredibly enormous meals
- The serving size listed on the packaging is sometimes misleading - a serving size is not always the total size of the package, it is often one-half or even less
3. Know How To Read Food Labels
Food labels are divided into two parts - the top half deals with aspects of food you should limit, such as total fat, cholesterol, sodium, carbohydrates and protein. The bottom is a summary of those you need, such as vitamins, iron, etc.
It is actually quite hard to understand what most food labels mean, in a way they are quite deceiving. You may think that you are eating healthy when in reality you are unknowingly taking in cholesterol, fat and calories in reduced levels. Here are a list of some of the claims that we can often find on our food’s packaging according to the Food and Drugs Authority:
- Calorie-free:
This product has fewer calories per serving (around 5 calories less) than the leading brand. It does not mean the product contains no calories.
- Low-sodium:
This product contains less than 140mg of salt per food serving.
- Low-calorie:
The food is actually less than 40 calories per serving.
- Low-cholesterol:
Less than 20mg of cholesterol as well as only 2 grams of fat per food serving
- Reduced:
25 percent less of what health professionals specify for the nutrients as well as the calories of a usual food product of the same type.
One of the best ways to start looking after your heart is when you purchase your groceries look out for the Heart foundation logo - this way you know that you're are looking out for your heart.
If you are looking for a good sauce of healthy recipes: Please feel free to check out Flora's Website for some really tasty and healthy recipes.
LOVE YOUR HEART!!! YOU ONLY HAVE ONE
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