Heart healthy foods?

CeleryStalker

These days, my weight loss effort includes something new...trying to lower my cholesterol/triglycerides via diet and exercise. My doc said no need for medication at this point because my levels aren't through the roof, but he does want me to make a concerted effort to lower these numbers with my diet. I go back in November to have my levels checked again, and I'd like to make a difference!

I've looked at what foods cause high cholesterol, and to be honest, I'm not eating a lot of them to begin with. I'm not a huge dairy fan, and when I do have dairy, it's in the form of nonfat yogurt and reduced fat cheese. I don't drink milk at all. I do use butter on my veggies, but in moderation. Red meats? I'll eat some kind of ground beef meal maybe once a week, but for the most part, I'm eating chicken and fish.

So what I'm trying to get across is the fact that when I look at foods that cause high cholesterol, it doesn't really look like I got here because of overindulgence of red meat and dairy, so rather than looking to cut back on items I already limit, I'm looking for foods that are known cholesterol reducers, and if there's even any truth to the notion that some foods can lower one's cholesterol.

justformel

When googled I seen oatmeal, high fiber foods, nuts, fish, are all examples.

I personally think genetics plays some roles in cholesterol. I eat a ton of red meat, and other items that are said to raise cholesterol, but my numbers are so low my dr thought I was a vegetarian. LOL I am total opposite and he agreed it must be genetics.

Good luck!

CeleryStalker

Ya, I've given up my morning yogurt for morning steel cut oats, mmmmm. More filling, and goes better with coffee, LOL! I'm a huge fish head, and especially love salmon. I eat that about once a week, and some kind of white fish or shell fish once a week as well.

The genetics is definitely a factor for me Both parents have high cholesterol, and so does my brother. His number is in the high 400 range! I'm hoping he's on meds to bring that down, because heart attacks (and cancer) seem to be what takes out the men in my family.

Any recommendations on lowering cholesterol naturally via diet/exercise are still very welcome! This has only been an issue for me since last year. Before then, my numbers were fine. And my numbers this year are pretty much the same as they were last year, within 1 or 2 'points' for each target measured.