When you think of low cholesterol dinners, what comes to mind? For many of us, it’s bland chicken breast with a side of steamed broccoli. Fortunately, watching your cholesterol doesn’t mean giving up your favorite meals. Also, our bodies need cholesterol to function.
Cholesterol is a waxy substance that is produced in our bodies. It is needed to build new cells, produce vitamins and secrete hormones. Our bodies are able to produce all of the cholesterol we need.
When we take in extra cholesterol from our diets, it is possible that our cholesterol levels in the blood can rise to an unhealthy level. Animal products like meat, cheese and eggs contain dietary cholesterol.
Cholesterol travels through our bloodstreams, and the more cholesterol circulating in the body, the higher our risk for cardiovascular disease. This is because cholesterol binds to other substances in the blood and forms thick deposits along the walls of the arteries. This leads to a narrowing and hardening of the arteries, which puts us at higher risk of a blood clot blocking the artery completely. An artery blockage like this is what causes heart attack and stroke. Factors like smoking, high blood pressure and diabetes can also increase our risk for heart disease.
Fortunately, sticking to a low cholesterol diet is as delicious as it is healthy. Because a diet rich in saturated and trans fats can raise cholesterol levels, opt for lean proteins, fresh veggies and hearty beans. The healthy fats found in many kinds of fish are known to raise your level of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), the good kind of cholesterol that helps to remove low-density lipoprotein (LDL) from the bloodstream. A diet rich in fiber has also been proven to remove the bad LDL cholesterol. This prevents buildup in the blood vessels and lowers your risk of cardiovascular disease.
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