Publisher's Synopsis
If you want to avoid the risk of heart attack and stroke then this low cholesterol cookbook is just what you need. Every recipe has been carefully chosen to contain minimum amounts of cholesterol. Enjoy low cholesterol, heart-healthy dishes for breakfast, snacks, dinner and dessert. High Cholesterol: What It Can Do to You FACT: The average American has cholesterol levels that are 'borderline high, ' and 1 in 6 has a high level. Despite the risks, about 1 in 3 Americans have not had their cholesterol tested in the past 5 years. That's how often the American Heart Association recommends screening. Your body makes cholesterol, and you also get it when you eat eggs, meats, and dairy products. When you have more than your body needs, cholesterol can cause plaque to build up in your arteries. This thick, hard plaque can clog your arteries like a blocked pipe. Reduced blood flow can lead to a stroke or heart attack. How High Cholesterol Causes Heart Attack: If there is a clog in a coronary artery, your heart gets too little blood and oxygen. Without enough oxygen, your heart becomes weak and damaged. If the plaque breaks open, a blood clot may form on top of the buildup, further blocking blood flow. Or, a blood clot can break off and flow to an artery in another part of the body. If a clot completely blocks an artery feeding your heart, you have a heart attack. How High Cholesterol Causes Stroke: Plaque buildup can also keep your brain from getting enough blood and oxygen. If a clot completely blocks an artery feeding your brain, you have a stroke. You can improve cholesterol with medications, but if you'd rather first make lifestyle changes to improve your cholesterol, try these five healthy changes. If you already take medications, these changes can improve their cholesterol-lowering effect. 1. Eat heart-healthy foods Even if you have years of unhealthy eating under your belt, making a few changes in your diet can reduce cholesterol and improve your heart health.
- Choose healthier fats.Saturated fats, found primarily in red meat and dairy products, raise your total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, the "bad" cholesterol. As a rule, you should get less than 7 percent of your daily calories from saturated fat. Choose leaner cuts of meat, low-fat dairy and monounsaturated fats - found in olive and canola oils - for healthier options.
- Eliminate trans fats.Trans fats affect cholesterol levels by increasing the "bad" cholesterol and lowering the "good" cholesterol. This bad combination increases the risk of heart attacks. Trans fats can be found in fried foods and many commercial products, such as cookies, crackers and snack cakes. But don't rely on packages that are labeled "trans fat-free." In the United States, if a food contains less than 0.5 grams of trans fat in a serving, it can be labeled "trans fat-free."
- Eat foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids.Omega-3 fatty acids don't affect LDL cholesterol. They have other heart benefits, such as helping to increase high-density lipoprotein (HDL, or "good") cholesterol, reducing your triglycerides, a type of fat in your blood, and reducing blood pressure. Some types of fish - such as salmon, mackerel and herring - are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Other good sources of omega-3 fatty acids include walnuts, almonds and ground flaxseeds.
- Increase soluble fiber.There are two types of fiber - soluble and insoluble. Both have heart-health benefits, but soluble fiber also helps lower your LDL levels. You can ad
