What Are the Best Snacks for High Cholesterol?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 11% of American adults have high cholesterol, which can lead to heart attack or stroke. One of the best ways to prevent or manage high cholesterol is through nutrition. Consuming adequate fiber and unsaturated fats can help reduce LDL or “bad” cholesterol and raise HDL or “good” cholesterol levels. Oftentimes, snacking gets a bad rap. But we’re here to tell you that snacking can absolutely support your health goals. Keep reading to learn what to look for in a high cholesterol-friendly snack and our top six bedtime snack ideas for high cholesterol.
What to Look for in a Cholesterol-Friendly Snack: When it comes to managing high cholesterol with nutrition, there are two key things to keep in mind. The first is to swap saturated fat for unsaturated fat. Saturated fat and trans fats can raise your LDL or “bad” cholesterol levels, while unsaturated fats can lower LDL and total cholesterol levels. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends that no more than 10% of your daily calories come from saturated fat, while the American Heart Association has stricter guidelines, recommending no more than 6% of your daily calories come from saturated fat.
Excerpted from Eating Well
