People with high cholesterol levels are usually told to follow a healthy and low cholesterol diet; but what exactly does that mean? With cholesterol being a real health threat in our modern lifestyles, we need to know when to eliminate certain foods – and when to enjoy others. These guidelines might help you to adjust your diet and lifestyle while keeping your cholesterol levels in check.

1. Don’t Eliminate All Fats

With fat receiving a ton of negative publicity over the last few decades, it’s no wonder that people are avoiding it altogether. Although it might be great for your waistline, it’s not so healthy for your heart. You need to include the “good” fats in your diet; such as Omega-3 fatty acids found in fish, polyunsaturated fat found in many nuts and seeds, and monounsaturated fats found in avocado and olive oil.

2. Don’t Avoid Red Meat

There’s no doubt that white meat such as lean turkey and chicken breast are great protein options; but this doesn’t mean that you should avoid red meat completely. Recent studies show that red meat has between 2% – 5% fat, which is very similar to chicken (with the skin removed) coming in at 1% – 4%. So you can still enjoy your red meats – just cut off excess the fat.

3. Don’t Overlook the Importance of Low GI Carbs

The benefits of eating low GI carbohydrates have long since been proved; but people often overlook the fact that low GI foods are also good for the heart. Studies have shown that eating low GI foods will decrease your risk of heart problems by as much as 50% compared to individuals that eat high GI foods. This is very important and goes hand-in-hand with a low cholesterol diet.

4. Don’t Believe that Eggs are Bad for You

Yes, eggs do contain a lot of cholesterol; in fact one egg contains roughly 213mg of it. But you don’t have to skip eggs altogether. The cholesterol is in the yolk – so egg whites are safe and they are actually a great lean protein source. If eggs whites are not your thing, you can still consume about 2 whole eggs per week according to many low-cholesterol diets.

5. Don’t Skip Nuts and Seeds

Even professional athletes will tell you that they are a great source of healthy fats. A handful of walnuts, macadamias or almonds is good for your heart; and even has the blessing of cardiologists. They contain “good” fats, vitamin E and fiber, along with a host of other important minerals. Try to consume them unsalted and lightly salted though.

6. Don’t Rely Purely on Supplementation

There’s no doubt that supplements will help you improve your overall health, but nothing can substitute a healthy, balanced diet. There is a place for them – but don’t just rely on them to offer a magic cure to high cholesterol or other health issues. The best defense is a healthy, low fat diet that contains whole foods and low GI meals.

7. Don’t Think Diabetes is Not Connected to Cholesterol

Having diabetes increased an individual’s risk of heart disease almost four times. Many conditions such as high blood pressure and being overweight have a strong connection with circulation problems, and ultimately, heart disease. Remember, what’s good for lowering your cholesterol will be good for improving your heart. So stick to regular exercise, high fiber foods and low GI carbohydrates. As mentioned earlier, nothing can replace a healthy lifestyle with a balanced diet and moderate exercise.

James Schreiber serves as the editor-in-chief of www.eCANDIDA.com, online magazine providing support for candida and yeast infection sufferers.