Healthy, Cholesterol Busting Foods

There are a multitude of methods one can adopt to promote health and assist with lowering cholesterol. Time and time again, however, foods or more precisely healthy foods, low in saturated fat, trans fat and cholesterol have been shown to be the least painful and most effective methods to use. Using foods as a means of lowering cholesterol can however, be a little confusing as there are so many different suggestions available, which some say are good and some say are bad for keeping cholesterol levels down. What follows is a list of some slightly unusual foods that you may not have previously been referred to. They offer an alternative to the usual healthy suggestions. Now only will these foods keep your diet interesting and varied and make maintaining a healthy heart enjoyable but they will help keep your mind off the fact that you'll be giving up your favourite snacks and treats.

Avocados.

These contain Oleic acid, which is an unsaturated fat (therefore a good type of fat). Oleic acid assists with keeping your overall cholesterol levels down whilst increasing HDL levels, essential cholesterol. You can either eat them on them own or what I like to do is add a little olive oil and balsamic vinegar for a truly delicious snack. Alternatively add them to a green salad.

Raspberries.

Raspberries are delicious and there shouldn't be any requirement for me to persuade you to include these foods in your diet to assist with lowering cholesterol. They contain many vital vitamins and acids in them but they are also high in cholesterol busting fiber. You can eat these little gems on their own, or use them to make a great fruit salad. Alternatively, chuck them in a blender with a little juice and some other fruits to make a great smoothie.

Figs.

Another great source of essential vitamins and acids, figs are also a superb source of vitamin B6, which really helps with lowering cholesterol. You can actually buy tasty fig bars or dried figs, try eating them after going to the gym.

Artichokes.

You may have never previously tried this vegetable, they look a little strange and you would be forgiven for not having the first clue how to prepare them. But ignore them at your peril. These peculiar little things are another great source of fiber, which we now know are essential for lowering overall cholesterol and raising those all important levels of HDL. To prepare them is very simple. Just steam them for about half an hour and then to eat just pluck the individual leave off and scrape the skin off with your teeth.

This is clearly not an exhaustive list of foods lowering cholesterol but hopefully it's given you at least a couple of fresh ideas. Staying healthy and looking after your heart is vitally important for all of us but unfortunately, nowadays it is far too easy to fill yourself with fat and cholesterol loaded foods. These foods line your arteries with blood flow restricting plaque and cause havoc with your heart. Don't line yourself up for a hospital ridden life, start eating healthy now and look forward to a long a cholesterol free life.

Mike Alford is the creator and editor of reducecholesterolsecrets.com ReduceCholesterolSecrets.com. Want to learn more about reducecholesterolsecrets.com/diets-to-reduce-cholesterol foods lowering cholesterol, visit his website and read some of the articles it contains. You can also subscribe to the 10-part Cholesterol Reduction Mini-Course within the site.