10 High Cholesterol Foods You Should Avoid

Foods that should Not be part of your regular diet if your trying to lower your cholesterol levels

We all know that high cholesterol is not a good thing. But, many people aren’t sure specifically what they should be doing to manage their cholesterol or what their numbers really should look like.

Here’s a look at ten foods high in cholesterol that should not be a part of your regular diet if you’re watching your cholesterol levels.

A List of 10 High Cholesterol Foods

1. Butter

Try to limit your daily butter consumption
Try to limit your daily butter consumption

Butter is hydrogenated fat and high in cholesterol.

2. Sausage

Processed meats like sausages will generally be high in cholesterol
Processed meats like sausages will generally be high in cholesterol

Sausage is often made from the fattiest parts of the pig, so, while all meat contains cholesterol, sausage is especially high in cholesterol.

3. Egg Yolks

Eggs in limited amounts are normally a fairly safe option
Eggs in limited amounts are normally a fairly safe option

The yolk of an egg is very high in cholesterol. However, there is new evidence to suggest that our bodies do not absorb the cholesterol in eggs the way they do that of meat, so eggs may not be so bad for you after all. Watch health news for more information on eating eggs.

4. Caviar

Caviar is another high cholesterol food to avoid
Caviar is another high cholesterol food to avoid

Caviar, sometimes called fish roe, is a popular spread on bread in Europe. But these tiny fish eggs are full of cholesterol.

5. Liver Pate

All organ meats are much higher in cholesterol than meats from other parts of an animal’s body.

6. Oil Packed Fish

Avoid canned fish that is packed with oil, instead choose brine if available
Avoid canned fish that is packed with oil, instead choose brine if available

If you’re choosing canned fish, like tuna and sardines for their healthy Omega 3’s, be certain you’re not choosing those packed in oil. The oil that the fish is packed in is high in cholesterol, defeating any benefit you get from eating the fish.

7. Cheese

Some cheeses are fairly low in cholesterol, yet others may contain elevated levels
Some cheeses are fairly low in cholesterol, yet others may contain elevated levels

Some cheeses are higher in cholesterol than others. Choose low fat cheeses for a good calcium and protein boost. Stay away from Port de Salut, the cheese highest in cholesterol.

8. Processed Meats

Bacon should be avoided when lowering your cholesterol levels
Bacon should be avoided when lowering your cholesterol levels

Lunch meats and processed meats like bacon tend to be high in cholesterol because they are not made from the leanest cuts of meat.

9. Fast Food

It's best to avoid fast food when you're looking to lower your cholesterol levels
It’s best to avoid fast food when you’re looking to lower your cholesterol levels

This is a pretty general category, but we all need to watch how much fast food we eat if we’re watching our cholesterol. Fast food restaurants tend to use fattier cuts of meat for their burgers, and often fry in oils high in cholesterol, too.

10. Shellfish

Most seafoods are high in cholesterol
Most seafoods are high in cholesterol

Oysters, clams, mussels and shrimp are quite high in cholesterol.

Foods from animals are generally high in cholesterol

As you can see by the list, foods high in cholesterol come from animal products. Foods that are plant based, even if they are oily, do not contain cholesterol.

Remembering this simple rule will help you choose the best foods for your diet and easily avoid foods high in cholesterol.

For example, when choosing oils for frying, choose plant based oils, like olive oil, corn oil or canola oil. Those these oils have quite a bit of fat, they have no cholesterol.

Have your blood cholesterol levels checked at least once a year, and follow your doctor’s guidelines for what your cholesterol numbers should be. In general, you should aim for Below 200 mg/dL (as measured in the US) or below 5.2 mmol/L (as measured in Canada and most of Europe).

With a little attention to avoiding these foods that are high in cholesterol, and eating more of the foods that can lower your cholesterol, most people can get their cholesterol readings within normal guidelines in just a few months.

List of 10 Low Cholesterol Foods

About Tony Rogers 46 Articles
I have a keen interest in fitness and nutritional topics. I like to know which are the very best foods I can consume to help me reach optimal health. I also believe in the healing power that foods can provide us with, and that by eating a diet which is both balanced and rich in essential nutrients, we can fully experience optimal health.

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