How can I cut my "cholesterol

[Augustheather97]

I was just told it is a little high and my "GOOD" is too low....what is good to eat and do to lower it>>??? I am a 43 year old female. In decent shape?

 

[chell]

Oatmeal! The Take Heart is pretty good too.

 

[disney4us2002]

I cut my cholesterol 35 points by cutting red meat consumption to once per week, rarely eating fried foods, adding more fresh fruit and eating oatmeal for breakfast daily. This was over about 2 months. My doctor was very pleased.

 

[RitaZ.]

Oatmeal, the old-fashioned kind. My mom is 72 and that's what she eats everyday for breakfast. She swears by it and also avoids foods high in fat. Even her doctor was impressed with her cholesterol levels. When she visits and I see her eating oatmeal, I feel like . But if it works, then I'd eat it.

 

[Virgo10]

My cholesterol is up too. The Dr. told me oatmeal every day but not the kind that actually tastes good. You know, the stuff with fruit or brown sugar in it. Only the old fashion kind will do according to him. Bleech.

 

[Christine]

My cholesterol is up too. The Dr. told me oatmeal every day but not the kind that actually tastes good. You know, the stuff with fruit or brown sugar in it. Only the old fashion kind will do according to him. Bleech.

But you *can* make this stuff taste good. I actually can't stand the kind in the packets because it is so refined that it is like "gruel" to me.

The real stuff has some substance to it. Now, I do sweeten mine. For instance, I use the recommended water to oatmeal as directed on the package. When the water comes to a boil, add about 2 TBSP. of chunky applesauce to it. Then dump the oats in (this is for one serving). With the oats, put in some cinnamon and maybe 1 tsp of brown sugar. You really don't even need that. Then toward the end, I add some raisins. When it's all done, put it in a bowl for a minute. It will be very thick. Then pour some milk on top of it--makes it creamy. Really--it isn't that bad.

To the OP--the other thing you need to do is cut out any butter or margarine. Cook with cooking spray and go out and buy some of that "Smart Balance" which is a butter substitute. This stuff has plant stearols in it that work to lower cholesterol. My FIL had tons of luck with stuff-as did my dad. He got his cholesterol down and did not have to go on any of the cholesterol-lowering drugs.

 

[goodeats]

To increase the 'good kind' eat more olives, nuts, avacados, olive oil, etc. Obviously do so in moderation or your weight will definitely go up! We use olive oil for most sauteeing and cooking. We're in California so avacados are a nice addition to tacos and salads. I hear if you're in the midwest they can be hard to find.

To decrease the bad kind - more veggies/fruits and less red meat. I don't necessarily believe eggs have that big of an impact, but if you're eating a ton, then it may be time to cutback. If you eat lots of liver, that's definitely a culprit!

Also exercise!

 

[Christine]

I don't necessarily believe eggs have that big of an impact, but if you're eating a ton, then it may be time to cutback.

Especially if they are fried up after you cook the bacon...

 

[Otimon]

Try doing what you can yourself first. If not working too well, don't be afraid to consider a cholesterol prescription drug. Your doctor will help you decide what is best for you.

Cut down on meat and whole dairy products. Eat lean meat when you do have it and switch to low fat or skim milk and dairy.

Also, exercise is a great way to help lower the "bad" cholesterol and raise the good kind.

Best wishes.

 

[SillyMe]

To increase the 'good kind' eat more olives, nuts, avacados, olive oil, etc. Obviously do so in moderation or your weight will definitely go up! We use olive oil for most sauteeing and cooking. We're in California so avacados are a nice addition to tacos and salads. I hear if you're in the midwest they can be hard to find.

To decrease the bad kind - more veggies/fruits and less red meat. I don't necessarily believe eggs have that big of an impact, but if you're eating a ton, then it may be time to cutback. If you eat lots of liver, that's definitely a culprit!

Also exercise!

Olives are good for you? I can eat a whole jar of green olives. I love them, but I never knew they were good for you.

 

[RitaZ.]

Christine~ That sounds like a good recipe. I'm going to print it.

 

[graygables]

My doc wanted me on a prescription, but I said no. Too expensive, no insurance. I started taking Cholesterol Support from NOW foods. It has policosanol, guggul, chromium among other things, all of which have been shown to reduce cholesterol. Last time I was in, it was down 6 points in 6 weeks. That was enough for me and for my doc for me to stay with it. He also encouraged me to exercise more as that has a positive effect on HDL. BTW, I did not change my diet at all b/c I wanted to see what the supplement would do, but I am planning to add oatmeal (which you can make Irish Steel Cut oats overnight in a crockpot, too!)

 

[CLynnJones]

Where do you get Irish Steel Cut oatmeal and what do you add to it in the crockpot? I just started using my new eliptical machine last night. OMG am I ever out of shape!! I could hardly do 2 minutes the 1st time I got on. This morning I barely made 2 and tonight I did 5 and then 2 after I laid on the bed for awhile and got my breath back!!!!!!!. It took everything I got! I hope it gets easier and that it's possible for me to get back in shape. At this point I'm wondering. BTW OP sorry to go on like that my DH had HC and did like someone else said and cut WAY back on red meat and fried foods. He was just a bit over and that did the trick.

 

[Planogirl]

I had to cut my fat intake one time because my "bad" cholesterol was high. I cut out all fatty meats such as high fat red meat (it's not red meat, it's WHICH red meat), dark meat chicken, bacon and so on, and concentrated heavily on fruit and veggies. I ate a lot of rice and beans and stayed away from chips or anything else fried.

Boil your eggs and try to limit your cheese and butter/margarine. Oatmeal is supposed to help but I just eat the packaged kind. There's a new one that's supposed to be particularly healthy for women in the stores. I also eat dry cereal for the fiber and it's supposed to be helpful too.

 

[aprilgail2]

I was just told it is a little high and my "GOOD" is too low....what is good to eat and do to lower it>>??? I am a 43 year old female. In decent shape?

Just for the record, it does not matter if you are in good shape as far as cholesterol goes..I am overweight, eat fast food a lot and my cholesterol is 128! It is mainly genetics.

 

[chrissyk]

Just for the record, it does not matter if you are in good shape as far as cholesterol goes..I am overweight, eat fast food a lot and my cholesterol is 128! It is mainly genetics.

You are so right I am in good shape, not overweight and mine was over 250 the last time I had it checked. My mother and grandmother are thin and eat what I would call near-perfect diets, and both are now on Lipitor. My mom had higher cholesterol than I do before she started on Lipitor I'll be on it as soon as I am out of my childbearing years. For some reason, my Dr. won't put me on it until then In the meantime, I spend every day hoping that it isn't getting any higher

 

[kaylajr]

This is a great thread
thanks for starting it
I was just gonna as DH got the results of his blood work last night
and it was not good his is way high

I don't know what all the numbers mean yet gonna go meet with the Dr later this week

but i will definatly follow this thread for food suggestions

 

[Augustheather97]

Thanks everyone.....I do think a lot of it is genetics too.....unfortunately.....
My dad died at only 61 from a massive Brain stem stroke so i guess I am going to have to get real careful now.......

 

[graygables]

Where do you get Irish Steel Cut oatmeal and what do you add to it in the crockpot?

I buy McCain's Irish Steel Cut oats at my grocery store. I think REd Mill is another brand that makes a steel cut.

The recipe: spray the crockpot with Pam, add 2 cups oats, 4 cups water, salt to taste and cook on low overnight. Stir in a little milk and whatever else you like (brown sugar, raisins, fruit) and eat! You may have to tinker with it a bit for your crockpot. I've heard of some people making a big batch, then re-heating it for the next few days, but I've never tried that.

 

[Pooh Girl 71]

Just for the record, it does not matter if you are in good shape as far as cholesterol goes..I am overweight, eat fast food a lot and my cholesterol is 128! It is mainly genetics.

I totally agree! I'm pretty much the same way and my cholesterol is 105. I also attribute it to the fact that I eat a lot of garlic, olive oil and onions.