Your meal plan to reduce cholesterol need not deprive your taste buds!
“You can say this for ready-mixes – the next generation isn’t going to have any trouble making pies exactly like mother used to make. ~Earl Wilson”
Patients with excessive cholestrerol levels are now more common than those with good cholestrerol levels readings. We are regularly enjoined by our physicians to monitor our cholesterol readings, with good reason. High ldl cholesterol levels of the bad sort and low cholesterollevels of the good type lead to artery blockages and heart attacks.
Our dietary habits play a big role in keeping bad ldl ( ” bad ” ) cholesterol levels under control. In addition to medications which reduce cholestrerol levels, a proper diet to lower ldl ( ” bad ” ) cholesterol levels is essential. It can be discouraging to be on constant alert with what we can and cannot eat. We may regard a strict diet as depriving us of the normal enjoyment of eating. This need not be the case. You can enjoy your food, perhaps more than before you got the bad news, with a diet to lower cholesterol.
People of the Mediterranean regions seldom suffer from high ldl cholesterol. You may well ask why. The secret to their good heart health lies in the consumption of heart healthy foods. Olive oil has no ldl ( ” bad ” ) cholesterol and is a mainstay in the fats consumed. Fish, with a high content of the antioxidant Omega-3 fatty acids, also contribute to lowered cholesterol levels.
Fresh garlic is included in the tasty Mediterranean diet in copious amounts. Entrees, salads and whole grain breads slathered with garlic and fresh produce play a major role in a diet to lower ldl cholesterol. Bruschetta, an Italian favorite, is often composed of a garlic, olive and diced tomato mixture spread on the bread. It is a fact that garlic, given a prominent place in the diet to lower cholesterol, is as effective as pharmaceutical medications in reducing bad ldl cholesterol. Some studies have shown garlic to be even more effective than the pharmaceuticals!
If you must adhere to a diet to lower cholesterol, the Mediterranean menus are certainly no punishment to your palate. The proof in this pudding is that Mediterranean populations rarely have high cholesterol levels and the death rate from heart attack is one of the lowest in the world.
Would you ever imagine that pizza would be an excellent addition to a diet to lower cholesterol? Unlikely, if you are eating a pizza prepared in the American way. A Mediterranean pizza is prepared with olive oil and much lesser amounts of the fatty meats we use. Olives are frequent additions to the Mediterranean style pizza, as are fresh tomatoes and low fat fresh mozzarella cheese.
The Mediterranean diet uses small amounts of fatty meats, instead favoring lean meats such as pancetta and lamb. Meats are used judiciously, more as flavoring than bulk. Pasta dishes emphasize the pasta, drizzled with olive oil and small amounts of meat, vegetables and seasonings for sensational taste appeal.
If you must adhere to a diet to lower cholesterol, take a page from the normal Mediterranean diet and get healthy!
“Vegetables are interesting but lack a sense of purpose when unaccompanied by a good cut of meat. ~Fran Lebowitz”
You might also consider red yeast rice extract or guggul extract as a supplement to your current diet. You can consider the benefits and potential side effects if any. Check out this site: http://www.redyeastricecholesterol.com/
Here are some related articles:
-Red Yeast Rice Extract: Cholesterol Lowering Supplement
-Guggul Extract: Diabetes and Weight Control
Eating healthy is a balancing act but one that you can be successful in performing!
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