Choosing the Right Food to Reduce Cholesterol

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We are very busy persons: we have things to do, problems to solve,people to talk to and it seems that we stopped having enough time toeat. More and more often full course meals get replaced for quickersnacks. Snacking does not necessarily represent a bad thing. Snacks arenormal for a body that consumes its inner energy for its dailyactivities and needs to accumulate more strength. Eating wrong foods forsnacks is causing you trouble like increasing cholesterol level. It isthe snacks high in carbohydrates and fats that are causing you anelevated cholesterol and weight gain. This situation will eventuallylead to heart disease, heart attacks and diabetes.In order to decrease cholesterol level , you must pay attention to what you eat and how you eat. Here are a few basic rules that you have to follow if you need to reduce cholesterol, basically if you want to have a healthy diet.Source taken from http://www.decreasing-cholesterol-levels.comRule Nr.1Cut back on foods rich in saturated fat like animal meats (red meat) andfried foods. Try eating more often `white meat' meaning chicken,turkey or fish as these kinds of foods have a low fat level.Rule Nr. 2If you want to reduce cholesterol level, you need to eat more vegetablesand fruits. There are never too many fruits or vegetables in analimentation process. These foods present the advantage of having a lowcalories and fat level, but, above all, they contain a broad number ofvitamins and antioxidants that are helping your body fight cellulardamage.Rule Nr. 3Try eating low fat dairy products. They may not be as tasty as theregular ones, but they surely reduce cholesterol.Rule Nr. 4You don't need to give up eating dressings or gravies. You just haveto reduce their quantity in your alimentation. Therefore you shouldstart serving them aside to make sure you control the amount you'reeating. You can even buy low fat dips.Rule Nr. 5Pay attention to how you cook your food. Stop using partiallyhydrogenated vegetable oils (found in margarines and shortenings) asthey contain trans-fatty acids, a form of fat that is raisingcholesterol level. Cookies, candies and chips also contain thesetrans-fatty acids, so be careful. Grilling your food instead of fryingit will surely help you reduce cholesterol.Rule Nr. 6Carbohydrates give you quick energy as they are converted into sugar inyour body, but they are also causing you weight gain and high glucoselevel that will eventually lead to diabetes. They also lower your HDLlevel. So be careful at carbohydrates. Whole grain products are low inflour and high in fiber, minerals and vitamins so eating them willreduce cholesterol and make you healthier.Rule Nr. 7If you are badly craving for a snack, have some nuts and seeds. Theycontain unsaturated fats that are lowering the LDL level (badcholesterol) which eventually reduce total cholesterol level. Nuts andseeds also give you vitamin E, B (which will help you have a healthyshiny hair and strong nails) and minerals.These rules may make you think like there is no fun in eating anymore.Keep in mind that you don't have to give up on `wrong' foodsfor good. You just have to eat healthy and with moderation. And once ina while you are allowed to indulge yourself with a moderate amount ofyour favorite `not-so-healthy' snack.Source taken from http://www.decreasing-cholesterol-levels.com