Why is high Cholesterol is bad? 

Cholesterol is natural substance found in our diet and liver. It is important for many body functions. However, high levels of cholesterol can thicken your body vessel walls which may cause stroke heart disease, and peripheral vascular disease.

What should my cholesterol levels be?  

The table below describes the ideal cholesterol levels. LDL (Low density lipoproteins) cholesterol is the "bad" cholesterol, and this number should be as low as possible.

What foods are included in high fiber, low fat diet?

Eat high fiber foods (fruits, vegetables, beans and whole grains). Eat more fish and skinless chicken breasts. Choose low fat and non-fat dairy products. Limit high saturated fat foods like whole milk dairy products (ice cream, butter, whole and 2% milk, cheese, sour cream, cream cheese). Limit products containing palm, palm kernel, coconut oils (such as baked goods); and fatty cuts of red meat and skin on poultry. Limit high cholesterol foods, like eggs and organ meat (liver). Limit fried foods. Below is one sample menu..

Breakfast:

- Scrambled eggs (1 egg plus 1 egg white, cooked in 1 tsp tub margarine)
- Whole-wheat toast (2 slices with 1 tsp strawberry jam, 2 tsp tub margarine)
- Cantaloupe wedge (1/3 of medium cantaloupe)
- Freshly brewed coffee or tea

Lunch:

- Roast beef sandwich (3 oz. lean roast beef, lettuce, tomato, mustard, 1 1/2 tsp mayonnaise, roll)
- Fresh peach (1 medium peach)
- 1% milk (1 cup)

Dinner:

- Roast light meat turkey (5 oz. with 2 tbsp meat juice with fat skimmed off)
- 1/3 cup Stove-top stuffing (made with tub margarine)
- Cranberry sauce
- Green beans (1/2 cup with 1 tsp tub margarine)
- Whole grain dinner roll (with 1 tsp tub margarine)

Snacks:

1 cup fresh strawberries

Where Can I Learn More?

Here are a few websites to check out.

• American Heart Association

• American Heart Association's Delicious Decisions

• Mayo Clinic: Cholesterol