Plant sterols or stanols don't appear to affect levels of triglycerides or of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, the "good" cholesterol. See our safe care and visitor guidelines, plus trusted coronavirus information. People tend to be most familiar with avocados in guacamole, which usually is eaten with high-fat corn chips. But, choosing healthy snacks over higher fat or higher sugar snacks is important when you have a health concern like high cholesterol. Our general interest e-newsletter keeps you up to date on a wide variety of health topics. Atherosclerosis. Accessed May 22, 2018. They are usually found in fried foods and processed foods, such as cookies, chips, and candies. FREE book offer – Mayo Clinic Health Letter, Cholesterol Top foods to improve your numbers, Advertising and sponsorship opportunities. Accessed May 22, 2018. Try using olive oil in place of other fats in your diet. The favorite choice for the term "Crackers" is 1 cracker, round of Crackers which has no cholesterol. A few simple tweaks to your diet — along with exercise and other heart-healthy habits — might help you lower your cholesterol. Primary prevention of cardiovascular disease with a Mediterranean diet supplemented with extra-virgin olive oil or nuts. Snacks high in fats and carbohydrates can increase cholesterol levels, cause weight gain, and can eventually lead to complications such as heart disease, high cholesterol, and diabetes. In: Kumar and Clark's Clinical Medicine. Since these are converted to sugar in the body, consumption of too many carbohydrates can cause weight gain and elevated glucose levels in diabetics. Fasting diet: Can it improve my heart health? Accessed June 28, 2018. Almonds and other tree nuts can improve blood cholesterol. Partially hydrogenated vegetable oils, such as those used in many margarines and shortenings, contain a particular form of fat known as trans-fatty acids. 2016;253:281. Avocados are a potent source of nutrients as well as monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs). After a flood, are food and medicines safe to use? Wang L, et al. Replacing saturated fats, such as those found in meats, with MUFAs are part of what makes the Mediterranean diet heart healthy. 2016 ESC/EAS guidelines for the management of dyslipidaemias: The task for the management of dyslipidaemias of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) and European Atherosclerosis Society (EAS) developed with the special contribution of the European Association for Cardiovascular Prevention & Rehabilitaiton (EACPR). Looking to start a diet to better manage your cholesterol? A recent study concluded that a diet supplemented with walnuts can lower the risk of heart complications in people with history of a heart attack. AskMayoExpert. All rights reserved. Fatty fish has high levels of omega-3 fatty acids, which can reduce your triglycerides — a type of fat found in blood — as well as reduce your blood pressure and risk of developing blood clots. How to Incorporate Red Meat Into a Low-Cholesterol Diet, 5 Tips on Preparing Cholesterol-Friendly Appetizers, Ways Your Diet Can Reduce High Cholesterol Levels Through Diet, Learn the Key Differences Between Saturated and Unsaturated Fats, Managing High Cholesterol When You Have Diabetes, The Basic Foods of a Successful Lipid-Lowering Diet, The Mediterranean Diet May Lower Your Cholesterol and Lipids. Whey protein lowers blood pressure and improves endothelial function and lipid biomarkers in adults with prehypertension and mild hypertensions: Results from the chronic Whey2Go randomized controlled trial. Estruch R, et al. Cholesterol-lowering supplements may be helpful. Here are some foods to improve your cholesterol and protect your heart. New England Journal of Medicine. If you have an absolute, not-so-healthy favorite snack that you like, you can still eat it, but only in moderation. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. All nuts are high in calories, so a handful added to a salad or eaten as a snack will do. Cholesterol medications: Consider the options. If you add fruit, such as a banana or berries, you'll get even more fiber. Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional Development, Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education, Cholesterol: Top foods to improve your numbers, Newsletter: Mayo Clinic Health Letter — Digital Edition, Book: Mayo Clinic Family Health Book, 5th Edition. Additionally, they contain a number of vitamins and other antioxidants that prevent cellular damage and aid in a number of cellular processes. There are many alternatives out there for you to try, and food manufacturers are making these alternatives more abundant. Sterols and stanols are substances found in plants that help block the absorption of cholesterol. You can also use olive oil as a substitute for butter when basting meat or as a dip for bread. Mayo Clinic offers appointments in Arizona, Florida and Minnesota and at Mayo Clinic Health System locations. Margarines and orange juice with added plant sterols can help reduce LDL cholesterol. If you need to use salad dressing, sauces, or dips, try a low-fat alternative. Trans fats raise overall cholesterol levels. Just remember to plan ahead because most healthy snacks … If you are hungry between meals, your body is telling you that it needs nutrition now. High cholesterol treatment: Does cinnamon lower cholesterol? U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Department of Agriculture. The good news … View other nutritional values (such as Calories, Carbs or Fats) using the filter below: * The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet.