High cholesterol diet plan: What it is, foods to include, and more Health ConditionsHealth ConditionsAlzheimer's & DementiaAnxietyArthritisAsthma & AllergiesBreast CancerCancerCardiovascular HealthCOVID-19Dermatology & SkincareDiabetesEnvironment & SustainabilityExercise & FitnessEye HealthHeadache & MigraineHealth EquityHIV & AIDSHuman BiologyInflammatory Bowel DiseaseLeukemiaLGBTQIA+Men's HealthMental HealthMultiple Sclerosis (MS)NutritionParkinson's DiseasePsoriasisSexual HealthWomen's HealthDiscoverNewsLatest NewsOriginal SeriesMedical MythsHonest NutritionThrough My EyesNew Normal HealthPodcastsHow to understand chronic painWhat is behind vaccine hesitancy?The amazing story of hepatitis C, from discovery to cureNew directions in dementia researchCan psychedelics rewire a depressed, anxious brain?Why climate change matters for human healthToolsGeneral HealthDrugs A-ZHealth HubsHealth ToolsBMI Calculators and ChartsBlood Pressure Chart: Ranges and GuideBreast Cancer: Self-Examination GuideSleep CalculatorHealth ProductsAffordable Therapy OptionsBlood Pressure MonitorsDiabetic SuppliesFitness TrackersHome GymsGreen Cleaning ProductsHow to Shop for CBDQuizzesRA Myths vs FactsType 2 Diabetes: Managing Blood SugarAnkylosing Spondylitis Pain: Fact or FictionConnectAbout Medical News TodayWho We AreOur Editorial ProcessContent IntegrityConscious LanguageNewslettersSign UpFollow UsMedical News TodayHealth ConditionsDiscoverToolsConnectSubscribe What is a diet plan for high cholesterol Medically reviewed by Jillian Kubala, MS, RD, Nutrition — By Steph Coelho on August 19, 2022A doctor may prescribe medication to someone with high cholesterol and recommend a specific diet plan. A change in diet may involve eating more nutritious foods and avoiding foods high in cholesterol. The body naturally produces the cholesterol it needs to function optimally. Having too much cholesterol can cause problems as it builds up in the arteries and can lead to heart disease and other health conditions. A diet plan for a person with high cholesterol will typically involve eating plenty of fiber-rich foods, including vegetables, fruits, beans, and whole grains, while limiting foods high in saturated fat and cholesterol. This article examines how diet can affect cholesterol and what diet plan can help a person with high cholesterol. How can diet reduce cholesterol Share on PinterestCameron Whitman/StocksyThere are five major lipoproteins in the blood, but healthcare professionals usually refer to two forms of cholesterol: high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL). Having high levels of “bad” LDL cholesterol can increase a person’s risk of atherosclerosis, which is the accumulation of fatty deposits along artery walls. This can increase the risk of heart disease. However, consuming foods that help the body produce more HDL — also known as “good” cholesterol — can help reduce the amount of LDL in the blood. Eating a healthy diet is one way for people to manage high cholesterol. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2020–2025 recommend:replacing saturated fats with unsaturated fatsconsuming as little dietary cholesterol as possibleeating a diet high in fruits, vegetables, low fat dairy, poultry, whole grains, beans, fish, and nutslimiting their intake of sugar, sweetened drinks, and red meat High cholesterol diet plans The Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2020–2025 recommends the DASH (dietary approaches to stop hypertension) for people with or at risk of heart disease. This eating plan emphasizes whole foods while limiting sodium, saturated fat, red meat, and sugar. It can help people:lower blood pressurereduce LDL cholesterol reduce their cardiovascular disease risk The American Heart Association (AHA) also recommends focusing on an overall healthy diet rather than simply counting dietary cholesterol. It points to DASH and the Mediterranean diet as examples of nutritious diets low in cholesterol and saturated fats. Foods to include The 2019 recommendation from the AHA outlines a diet consisting of the following foods to lower cholesterol levels:fruitsvegetableswhole grainsfat-free or low fat dairy productslean proteinsfoods high in unsaturated fatshigh fiber foods Foods to avoid The AHA also recommends limiting the following foods to help control cholesterol:egg yolksshellfishfoods high in saturated fats, including red meat However, limiting foods does not mean a person can never have them. For example, someone with high cholesterol may want to eat fewer eggs or add high fiber foods such as vegetables or fruits to an egg-based breakfast. Diet and cooking tips People aiming to manage their cholesterol may want to consider the following eating and cooking tips:opting for plant-based protein sources when possible, such as tofu or tempehcooking using vegetable oils, such as olive oil, instead of butterlimiting intake of egg yolks and shellfishusing whole foods when possible and avoiding ultra-processed productsswapping red meat for fish choosing lean cuts of meat over fatty ones and trimming excess fateating more plant-based meals and using more plant-based protein sources such as beanssteaming, roasting, or air frying vegetables with a small amount of vegetable oilcooking with healthy vegetable oils such as olive and avocado oil The AHA also recommends looking for the “heart-check” symbol when shopping at a grocery store. This mark means products fit within the association’s recommendations for healthy eating. Contacting a doctor or dietitian People with high cholesterol should consult with a dietitian if they are unsure how to start incorporating healthier foods into their diet. Dietitians can provide guidance and tips on how to make healthy diet swaps. Regular contact with a doctor is also helpful when reducing cholesterol levels. They can order blood tests to check a person’s progress and if dietary changes are having an impact. While dietary changes may be the first step in controlling cholesterol levels, a doctor may recommend medications, such as statins, if there is no change. Learn more about ways to lower cholesterol. Summary High cholesterol can increase a person’s risk for heart disease. If a blood test reveals that someone has high cholesterol, a specific diet plan may be the first treatment a doctor recommends. Current dietary recommendations focus on eating a healthy diet high in whole foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and seeds. Last medically reviewed on August 19, 2022CholesterolHeart DiseaseCardiovascular / Cardiology 5 sourcescollapsedMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.Carson, J. A. S., et al. (2019). Dietary cholesterol and cardiovascular risk: A science advisory from the American Heart Association.https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIR.0000000000000743Cooking to lower cholesterol. (2020).https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/cholesterol/prevention-and-treatment-of-high-cholesterol-hyperlipidemia/cooking-to-lower-cholesterolDietary guidelines for Americans 2020–2025. (2020).https://www.dietaryguidelines.gov/sites/default/files/2020-12/Dietary_Guidelines_for_Americans_2020-2025.pdfLDL and HDL cholesterol: "Bad" and "good" cholesterol. (2020).https://www.cdc.gov/cholesterol/ldl_hdl.htmLee, Y., et al. (2021).https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK542294FEEDBACK:Medically reviewed by Jillian Kubala, MS, RD, Nutrition — By Steph Coelho on August 19, 2022 Latest newsWhat sets 'SuperAgers' apart? Their unusually large neuronsOmega-3 may provide a brain boost for people in midlifeSeasonal affective disorder (SAD): How to beat it this fall and winterCDC: Monkeypox in the US 'unlikely to be eliminated in the near future'Why are more women prone to Alzheimer's? 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