By modifying your lifestyle, you cam improve your cholesterol levels and reduce your risk of future health problems. Increase the amount of whole grains, fruits and vegetables in your diet.
- Choose high fiber foods such as oat bran, oatmeal and cereals with psyllium.
- Eat legumes regularly (e.g., chick peas, lentils).
- Limit grain products that may have hidden fats (e.g., croissants, flaky pastry, muffins, doughnuts, cookies).
- Eat fruits and vegetables daily.
- Limit fat-adding ingredients like mayonnaise and salad dressing on vegetables and salads.
- Avoid dairy products with high milk fat (% MF) content such as cream, high fat cheese and butter.
- When buying milk, yogurt or cottage cheese, select 1% MF (milk fat) concentration or less; when buying hard cheese, select 15% MF concentration or less.
- Avoid tropical oils such as palm and coconut oils because they are high in saturated fats.
- When buying oils, choose those that are high in mono and polyunsaturated fats such as olive, canola, corn, sunflower, safflower or soya oil, and use them in moderation.
