Top Snacks to Help Lower High Cholesterol Levels

Top Snacks to Help Lower High Cholesterol Levels

There are many things that you must take care of when suffering from high cholesterol and the most important of them is to keep a check on what you are eating. Although it sometimes feels like eating less is the best solution, sticking to healthy snacks is an even better resort.

Accordingly, here are the top snacks to help lower high cholesterol.

1. Oats
Including a bowl of oatmeal in your diet can work wonders to control high cholesterol. There is a soluble fiber in oats that can intake cholesterol so that the body will not absorb it. You can choose to have oats for breakfast or eat it as an evening snack. Barley and other whole grains also cause a similar impact so you can have these foods alternatively to keep the cholesterol under control.

2. Soy
Soy as well as foods made from soy are extremely beneficial in fighting high cholesterol. These need to be definite inclusions in snacks to help lower high cholesterol. You can consume tofu and soy milk if there is a high amount of LDL cholesterol in the body. Studies have shown that if you consume about 25 grams of soy protein daily, LDL in the body will be reduced by approximately 6%.

3. Nuts
Nuts have fibers that are good for the heart and go a long way in keeping your cholesterol under control. If you consume them regularly, especially almonds and walnuts, the quantity of LDL cholesterol and triglycerides are reduced. For experiencing the best results, you should have them as naturally as possible. Also, try to consume a mix of different nuts for maximum health benefits. It’s better if they have their skin on, and are unroasted and unsalted.

4. Green tea
Green tea is very beneficial for the heart and reduces LDL cholesterol in the body. The risk of other cardiovascular diseases is also lowered if you drink this beverage regularly. While some of the studies that prove the benefits of green tea were conducted with the drink itself, some of them were conducted using catechins, which are active polyphenols present in green tea.

5. Fruits
Certain fruits and berries can help lower LDL cholesterol and keep heart diseases at bay. A soluble fiber found in certain fruits known as pectin can lower cholesterol content in the body by as high as 10%. This fiber is found in citrus fruits, apples, grapes, and strawberries. Apart from reducing LDL cholesterol, eating fruits and berries can also help increase the content of HDL or good cholesterol in the body.

6. Avocados
Eating an avocado every day can help reduce the bad cholesterol in the body significantly, particularly in people who are overweight or obese. Avocados have monounsaturated fats, which are beneficial for you when consumed in moderation. They also contain minerals, fiber, vitamins, and compounds that can block the absorption of cholesterol in the body.