6 Foods that lower Cholesterol

6 Foods That Lower Cholesterol
These six foods have been shown to lower
cholesterol — and unlike medications, their only side effect is a satisfied
stomach!
 
Oranges
First up is a very common citrus fruit that
contains pectin. Like other types of soluble fiber, pectin forms a gooey mass in
your stomach that traps cholesterol and carries it out of your body before it
can be absorbed into your bloodstream (where it contributes to clogged
arteries). One medium orange provides about 2 to 3 g of soluble
fiber, as well as other beneficial nutrients such as vitamin C, folate, and
potassium. You have to eat oranges in order to benefit from their fiber
content, so put your juicer aside, and choose thick-skinned varieties for the
best taste and easiest peeling.

Oats
Here’s one you probably know about already, but you may
not be aware of some of the less conventional forms and uses for this soluble
fiber-rich grain. While oatmeal is an obvious winner, oat flour
is another versatile option. If you can’t find it in the places you typically
shop, you can make your own by pulverizing rolled oats in a food processor. Oat
flour can be substituted for up to half the all-purpose flour in most pancake
and muffin recipes; I even use it in the low-fat oatmeal cookies my kids adore.

Beans and Lentils
Beans and lentils are sky-high in fiber, a
good portion of which is the heart-healthy soluble type. They’re also a great
low-fat replacement for animal protein, which is often full of saturated fat. Beans can be incorporated into breakfast, lunch,
dinner, and even snacks. For breakfast, make a burrito with scrambled egg
whites, black beans, and salsa. At lunch, a bowl of lentil soup with a few whole
grain crackers hits the spot. For dinner, skip the typical side
dish of pasta, potatoes, or rice and try seasoned beans instead.  

Sardines
Just like salmon, their more popular marine
relatives, sardines are ridiculously rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3’s not only lower LDL cholesterol, they’re also potent
anti-inflammatories, and they significantly reduce blood levels of
artery-clogging triglycerides. I’m convinced that most people who turn up their
noses at the mere mention of sardines haven’t actually tried them. If that’s
you, consider this yummy open-faced sandwich: spread two slices of whole wheat
bread with a little bit of low-fat mayo and top each half with a couple of
canned sardines, a slice of tomato, and a few fresh basil leaves.

Pistachio Nuts
I love pistachio nuts, so I
was thrilled when a 2008 study revealed that eating one or two handfuls (1.5 to
3 ounces) per day for four weeks significantly reduced LDL cholesterol in people
with elevated blood levels. Turns out, these little powerhouses are a great
source of phytosterols, the natural plant compounds that block absorption of
dietary cholesterol. They’re also rich in monounsaturated fat, fiber, and antioxidants —
all of which are good for heart health. I prefer pistachios in the shell because
it forces me to eat them slowly and prevents me from overdoing it with these
healthy — but caloric — treats.  

Oil Spray
Because losing weight is the best way to lower
your LDL (“bad”) cholesterol and boost your HDL (“good”) cholesterol, cutting
calories is important. One surefire way to cut back is to use an oil
spray in place of butter or bottled oils when cooking. Instead of
purchasing disposable nonstick spray canisters, I use a reusable oil mister and
fill it with my favorite brand of olive oil. Replacing the saturated fat in
butter with heart-healthy
unsaturated plant oils, like olive and canola, helps to improve
your overall cholesterol profile.