Should we avoid high cholesterol foods?

Elevated cholesterol: foods to avoid

In the past, foods containing cholesterol like eggs, shellfish (such as prawns, crab or lobster, but not molluscs), or organ meats (kidneys or liver, for example) were indeed thought to high cholesterol foods and the main source of cholesterol in the blood. Since elevated cholesterol is one of the risk factors of coronary heart disease, at the time it was often advised that people avoid these foods to help manage their cholesterol levels and maintain a healthy heart.

In recent years, however, it has become clear that high cholesterol foods have a far less significant impact on blood cholesterol levels than previously thought, meaning that the dietary advice from health authorities has changed as well.

So, what should you do to follow a cholesterol-friendly diet? First of all, there is evidence that exchanging saturated fat already in your diet with unsaturated fat can help lower LDL-cholesterol, the “bad” cholesterol associated with the risk of developing heart disease.* Foods to avoid eating in excess – and to replace with alternatives with reduced fat or that are high in unsaturated fat – therefore include the following:

• Dairy products, such as milk, cheese, butter, and cream. You could replace these with reduced fat options, like skimmed milk or low-fat cheeses, or with alternatives high in unsaturated fat, like a soft spread high in unsaturated fats.
• Meat and meat products, like beef, sausages, or burgers. When preparing cuts of meat, you can reduce the amount of saturated fat by cutting off the visible fat. When you buy products like sausages and burgers, check the label to find packs with less saturated fats.
• Prepared foods and baked desserts, like pizza, pork pies, cakes, and biscuits. These foods can be hard to resist, but the Flora ProActiv fat swaps guide is here to help you find alternatives.

So, are there any high cholesterol foods to avoid?

Eaten in moderation, eggs, shellfish, and offal could all potentially feature in a healthy diet. In fact, the NHS states no limit on the number of eggs you can eat in a week – but it’s still important to consider how your intake of eggs and other high cholesterol foods will fit in with a varied and balanced diet.

Another thing to consider is that while foods high in cholesterol may have less of an influence on your blood cholesterol level than those that are high in saturated fat, the way you prepare these foods could still have a significant impact.

As a general rule, cooking methods which require little to no cooking fat, such as poaching, boiling, baking, steaming, and grilling, can help you manage your overall fat intake while still enjoying high cholesterol foods. When frying (or using another cooking method that requires oil), choose a vegetable oil as an alternative to butter or oils that are high in saturated fat.

And if you are looking for inspiration when cooking low-cholesterol recipes, you can find here delicious ideas for any meal of the day.

Find out more

We have plenty of resources to help you understand more about managing cholesterol through diet as well as the foods to avoid to lower cholesterol. Find information here on how to create a low cholesterol diet plan.

*High cholesterol is a risk factor in the development of coronary heart disease. There are many risk factors for coronary heart disease, and it is important to take care of all of them to reduce the overall risk of it.

This information has been included in good faith, but is for general informational purposes only, and should not be construed as a guarantee. The nutritional facts and statements on this site are designed for educational and resource purpose sonly, not being substitutes for professional advice. If you have any concerns or questions about your health, you should always check with your GP or healthcare professional.