Cholesterol Isn't Our Enemy

Cholesterol is actually a vital element for our health. We need cholesterol.

Our body produced cholesterol naturally in the liver and we actually don’t need cholesterol in our diet. It’s when we consume too much food which raised the cholesterol level, then the problems arise.

It’s the food which gives us the problem instead of the cholesterol itself. Foods are important too and it’s visible while cholesterol is invisible. Food is more attractive, delicious and tempting so it’s nearly impossible to consider some foods as our enemy. It’s easier to blame the cholesterol of the food.

It’s not necessary to consider some foods as our enemy too, we just need to understand which foods to consume and which ones to avoid in achieving a good health.

Too many foods contain high amounts of fat, which increase the cholesterol level in our blood. The most ideal food we can consume without worrying about the cholesterol are the Mediterranean menu.

~ Fish: Omega 3 fatty acids, which are found in fish is beneficial to keep a healthy cholesterol level. Consume fish at least twice a week. If for some reason you can’t eat fish then substitute it with fish oil or krill oil supplement instead.

~ Whole grains: brown rice, cereals, oatmeal and whole grain bread contains fiber which also can lower cholesterol level. Eating minimum two servings of whole grains per day will maintain your cholesterol level.

~ Beans, legumes: black beans, black-eyed peas, kidney beans, navy beans, lentils, and others are also a great source of fiber.

~ Nuts & Seeds: Almonds, Brazil nuts, peanuts, pistachios and other beans are also full with fiber and healthy fats. They also contain plant sterols, which block the absorption of cholesterol in the body. Chia seeds and ground flax seeds are rich with a plant-based omega-3 fatty acids.

~ Fruits: apples, olives, pears and prunes also a great source of fiber, while avocados are high in folate, a healthy monounsaturated fat.

Eating the right foods can help you in living a healthy life without worrying about cholesterol. You are what you eat.