Cholesterol diet lowering steps

These cholesterol diet lowering steps are part of recommendations of National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP). There are two steps diets included in the recommendation package of NCEP.

The Step 1 Diet is recommended as first line of treatment for high cholesterol in adults and also in children older than 2 years. This first start will include a restriction in total fat intake no more than 30 percent of your total daily calories.

While, saturated fat is less 10 percent, polyunsaturated fat 8 to 10 percent, monounsaturated 10 to 15 percent. Cholesterol intake is limited less than 300 mg a day and sodium no more than 2,4 mg a day.

So, you can begin your breakfast with a ¾ cup of cereals with one cup of 1% milk. Or 2 slices of whole wheat toast with two tablespoon margarine and one tablespoon jam. You can take coffee or tea as well, but be careful to use polyunsaturated creamer.

For lunch you may serve one cup of vegetable beef soup with sliced tomato and lettuce with two tablespoon olive oil and vinegar. As dessert you can serve ½ fresh fruit salad.

To end your day, 3 oz broiled chicken breast with ½ cup of herbed brown rice, at the end ½ cup or carrot/raisin salad.

On the other hand, the Step 2 Diet is recommended to all those persons who do not respond to the Step 1 Diet, even after 6 to 12 weeks of trying.

Also, this cholesterol diet lowering step is recommended to those persons with heart stroke or attack and to those with clear evidence of atherosclerosis.

This is a more restricted diet, where saturated fats are limited to less than 7 percent, cholesterol intake less than 200 mg a day and the total calories are limited to what can keep a healthy weight.

So, you can serve all the foods in step 1 diet menu, but you should use skim milk in stead of 1 percent one and use allowed polyunsaturated fat in preparation.

I know that with all these numbers you’ll be confused. You don’t have to. What you can do is to read the food labels on their packaging.

They will give you a hand on counting the fats, carbs and sodium levels as well as on fibers and vitamin content. This info on food labels are given ‘per-serving’, which is defined on the top of the label.

Click here to try an alternative to all these cholesterol diet lowering steps for a better result.