Considering the TLC Diet

The National Cholesterol Education Program of the National Institutes of Health for people who have a high cholesterol level has recommended the Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes diet also known as the TLC diet. This TLC diet is highly recommended to those with high cholesterol, heart disease or significant risk factors of heart disease. The premise is pretty simple - you lower your cholesterol - you reduce your risk of heart disease by simple limiting the amount of saturated fat and cholesterol in your diet. It is not only necessary but it's also healthy. You will feel a lot lighter and younger by removing all those fats from your normal diet.

Guidelines

In order to achieve and maintain a healthy weight, the TLC diet helps by allowing just enough calories. To determine the right number of daily calories, you should work with your doctor or a registered dietitian. These general guidelines should help you plan your meals correctly:

Fats - Limit your saturated fat intake to less than 7 percent of your total daily calories. Remember that up to 25 to 35 percent of your total daily calories can come from fat. Depending on how many calories you are allowed per each day, the specific amount of fat may vary.

Cholesterol - The amount of cholesterol intake should be limited to less than 200 milligrams per each day

Sodium - The daily sodium intake should be limited to less than 2.400 milligrams daily or even less if you have high blood pressure.

Exercising

Physical activity is very important, as important as what you eat. Lowering your low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL or the "bad" cholesterol), boosting high-density lipoprotein (HDL or the "good" cholesterol) and maintaining a healthy weight can all be done through regular exercise. Begin a regular exercising program with your doctor's OK. Join an exercise class, try a brisk daily walk or even swim laps if you would like.

Differences

The differences between the TLC diet and other heart-healthy diets are not that many. The principles are much the same, but when it comes to the TLC diet, the saturated fats and cholesterol intake is much more restricted than other diets that intend to promote heart health. Even though it seems that the TLC diet is recommended to everyone, it is actually designed for those of you that have high cholesterol, heart disease or significant risk factors for heart disease.

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