A meal plan to lower cholesterol need not deprive your taste buds!
“My favorite animal is steak. ~Fran Lebowitz”
Patients with excessive ldl ( ” bad ” ) cholesterol are now more prevalent than those with good ldl ( ” bad ” ) cholesterol readings. We are regularly enjoined by our doctors to examine our cholesterol readings, with good reason. High ldl ( ” bad ” ) cholesterol levels of the bad sort and low cholesterollevels of the good type lead to artery blockages and heart attacks.
Our dietary habits play a big role in keeping bad ldl cholesterol levels under control. In addition to medications which reduce cholesterol, a proper diet to lower ldl ( ” bad ” ) cholesterol levels is essential. It can be discouraging to be on constant alert with what we can and cannot eat. We may regard a strict diet as depriving us of the normal enjoyment of eating. This need not be the case. You can enjoy your food, perhaps more than before you got the bad news, with a diet to lower cholestrerol levels.
People of the Mediterranean regions seldom suffer from high ldl cholesterol. You may well ask why. The secret to their good heart health lies in the consumption of heart healthy foods. Olive oil has no cholesterol and is a mainstay in the fats consumed. Fish, with a high content of the antioxidant Omega-3 fatty acids, also contribute to lowered ldl cholesterol levels.
Fresh garlic is included in the tasty Mediterranean diet in copious amounts. Entrees, salads and whole grain breads slathered with garlic and fresh produce play a major role in a diet to lower ldl cholesterol. Bruschetta, an Italian favorite, is often composed of a garlic, olive and diced tomato mixture spread on the bread. It is a fact that garlic, given a prominent place in the diet to lower ldl cholesterol, is as effective as pharmaceutical medications in reducing bad ldl ( ” bad ” ) cholesterol. Some studies have shown garlic to be even more effective than the pharmaceuticals!
If you must adhere to a diet to lower cholestrerol levels, the Mediterranean menus are certainly no punishment to your palate. The proof in this pudding is that Mediterranean populations rarely have high cholesterol levels and the death rate from heart attack is one of the lowest in the world.
Would you ever imagine that pizza would be an excellent addition to a diet to lower cholesterol? Unlikely, if you are eating a pizza prepared in the American way. A Mediterranean pizza is prepared with olive oil and much lesser amounts of the fatty meats we use. Olives are frequent additions to the Mediterranean style pizza, as are fresh tomatoes and low fat fresh mozzarella cheese.
The Mediterranean diet uses small amounts of fatty meats, instead favoring lean meats such as pancetta and lamb. Meats are used judiciously, more as flavoring than bulk. Pasta dishes emphasize the pasta, drizzled with olive oil and small amounts of meat, vegetables and seasonings for sensational taste appeal.
If you must adhere to a diet to lower cholesterol, take a page from the normal Mediterranean diet and get healthy!
“High-tech tomatoes. Mysterious milk. Supersquash. Are we supposed to eat this stuff? Or is it going to eat us? ~Annita Manning”
You might also consider red yeast rice extract or guggul extract as a supplement to your current diet. You can consider the benefits and potential side effects if any. Check out this site: http://www.redyeastriceextract.org/
Here are some related articles:
-Guggul Extract: Weight Loss Support
-Red Yeast Rice Extract: Cholesterol Lowering Supplement
Eating healthy is a balancing act but one that you can be successful in performing!
