A low fat cholesterol diet will not only help those who have high cholesterol levels, but it will help those at risk and even those who just want to live a healthier lifestyle. There is much talk about LDL and HDL levels these days and Americans are finding that the fast food and pre-packaged diets of the last thirty years are catching up with them. Those who have High LDL levels in their blood streams are at risk for heart disease and strokes and this makes getting LDL levels lowered to a healthy place. Doctors and researchers in the field agree, eating foods that help reduce LDL levels and eating foods that have appropriate HDL content are key to keeping a heart attack or stroke at bay. And, of course, exercise is another key component of any healthy plan. Low fat cholesterol recipes are easy to find and anyone looking to begin cooking with LDL and HDL levels in mind can easily find simple and tasty recipes online or in cook books at most book stores. But before buying a book or joining a recipe club, it may be a good idea to find out more about what cholesterol is and how it affects the body.
Cholesterol is a fatty substance found in cells throughout the body and in the blood stream. This substance is used by the body to form new cells and certain hormones. A certain amount of cholesterol found in the body is important. However, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is a carrier of this much talked about substance, and if there is excess of this carrier in the blood stream, it can begin to accumulate in the arteries’ walls. The build up will eventually turn into plaque, blocking blood flow. If the blood flow to the heart is completely blocked by plaque and clots, the result can be a heart attack. If blood flow to the brain is completely blocked by plaque and clots, the result can be a stroke. Obviously, low fat cholesterol diet plans are good ideas for those who want to avoid plaque build up. When a patient has high LDL levels, he or she will definitely want to address an exercise and healthy eating plan of action.
There is another carrier for blood cholesterol and this carrier is referred to as HDL. HDL carries the waxy substance in the arteries into the liver, where it is expelled from the body. This is what doctors and experts call good cholesterol, because it actually helps in removing some plaque. Those who have high HDL levels actually have protection against a heart attack. If levels of HDL are below normal levels, then the risks factors climb again. It will be important to know levels when using low fat cholesterol recipes, keeping a record of how levels fluctuate once a healthy eating program has been implemented.
The best eating plans will include both foods that can be helpful in lowering LDL levels and foods that can help in keeping HDL levels at a premium. Any low fat cholesterol recipes should offer a well balanced meal plan that can keep levels right were they need to be. Foods that are helpful for HDL levels are usually rich in anti-oxidants. This would include red wine in moderation, beans, raw onions, fish, and soy products. There is also an entire host of supplemental vitamins and herbs that can be used in changing the HDL levels in the body. Logging onto the Internet and finding what food sources can be added to low fat cholesterol diet can help those watching levels create varied meal plans.
To lower LDL levels, certain foods will need to be avoided. A low fat cholesterol diet plan should avoid trans-fats and sugary foods. Fried foods, margarine, and vegetable oils can raise LDL levels and should be avoided at all costs. Daily meals should include plenty of fruits and vegetables with low fat meats such as turkey and chicken. Grains and healthy cereals can be good for LDL levels that are high, but white bread should be avoided.
There are many low fat cholesterol recipes that are posted online. Also, there are cook books that contain great options that have meals which are fun to make. Entertaining can even be exciting when using some of the creative recipes found in books that specialize in low LDL level foods and high HDL level foods. God wants us to take care of our bodies, so finding low fat cholesterol recipes can help us overcome the desire to give into tempting foods and live a life dedicated to serving Him for a very long time in a healthy body. “And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? For ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.” (2 Corinthians 6:16). Our bodies are to be the vessel that God uses here on earth. Taking care of our bodies is part of living a godly lifestyle.