Guidelines for a Low Cholesterol, Low Saturated Fat Diet (2024)

FAQs

How much saturated fat is OK on a low cholesterol diet? ›

For people who need to lower their cholesterol, the American Heart Association recommends reducing saturated fat to less than 6% of total daily calories. For someone eating 2,000 calories a day, that's about 11 to 13 grams of saturated fat.

Choose fish, chicken, turkey and lean meats. Use dried beans, peas, lentils and tofu. Limit egg yolks to three to four per week. If you eat red meat, limit to no more than three servings per week and choose loin or round cuts.

People with high cholesterol levels may benefit from adopting a low fat diet. This involves reducing the intake of foods high in saturated and trans fats, both of which increase the harmful type of cholesterol that clogs the arteries.

But a large egg contains little saturated fat — about 1.5 grams (g). And research has confirmed that eggs also contain many healthy nutrients: lutein and zeaxanthin, which are good for the eyes; choline, which is good for the brain and nerves; and various vitamins (A, B, and D).

Fortunately for everyone who loves peanut butter, almond butter, and other nut butters, these creamy treats are fairly healthy. And as long as they don't contain hydrogenated fat, nut butters — including peanut butter — won't cause problems for your cholesterol levels.

If you have risk factors for heart disease, you should not consume more than 200 milligrams of cholesterol a day. If you do not have risk factors for heart disease, you should limit your cholesterol intake to no more than 300 milligrams a day.

Your diet affects your cholesterol. To lower your cholesterol, limit foods high in saturated fat and avoid foods with trans fat. These fats raise your “bad” cholesterol (LDL).

Oatmeal, oat bran and high-fiber foods

Soluble fiber is also found in such foods as kidney beans, Brussels sprouts, apples and pears. Soluble fiber can reduce the absorption of cholesterol into your bloodstream. Five to 10 grams or more of soluble fiber a day decreases your LDL cholesterol.

Are eggs really bad for cholesterol? ›

Chicken eggs are an affordable source of protein and other nutrients. They're also naturally high in cholesterol. But the cholesterol in eggs doesn't seem to raise cholesterol levels the way some other foods, such as those high in trans fats and saturated fats, do.

Potatoes are rich in soluble fibre, which can be consumed by high cholesterol patients without any confusion. Consuming potatoes not only maintains the cholesterol level, but the body also gets many health benefits. Consumption of potatoes in cholesterol is safe only if you consume it properly.

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends limiting saturated fat to 10% or less of your daily calories. To figure out what that means for you, start with the number of calories you normally eat or want to eat in a day. Multiply that number by 10%.

BHF dietitian Victoria Taylor says:

Brazil nuts, cashews and macadamia nuts are higher in saturated fat. Too much of this can contribute to raised cholesterol levels, so only eat them occasionally. Chestnuts are an exception – they're lower in all types of fats and higher in starchy carbohydrate than other nuts.

average man should eat no more than 30g of saturated fat a day. average woman should eat no more than 20g of saturated fat a day.

Cholesterol-lowering foods

1) Oatmeal, oat bran and high-fiber foods. Foods high in soluble fiber help reduce the absorption of cholesterol into your bloodstream. Soluble fiber is also found in kidney beans, apples, pears, barley and prunes. 2) Fish and omega-3 fatty acids.