Which Types Of Bread Are Best For Lowering Cholesterol? (2024)

FAQs

What is the best bread to eat if you have high cholesterol? ›

Whole wheat or whole grain bread is your best bet due to the high amounts of fiber compared with other bread.

Can you still eat bread if you have high levels of cholesterol? Yes! You can still eat bread, but some types of bread are a lot healthier for you to eat if you have high cholesterol levels. Most bread products are primarily made of wheat flour.

Is bread an issue, for cholesterol and gaining weight? A lean bread such as sourdough, which contains only flour, water, salt, and the levain, contains no cholesterol. If you start adding stuff like butter, eggs, sugar, oils, and other fats, that's a different story.

Additionally, increasing protein intake and decreasing consumption of refined carbs — including white bread and sugary sweets — may also lower blood sugar, decrease LDL (bad) cholesterol levels, and increase HDL (good) cholesterol ( 6 , 7 ).

Due to its high amount of unsaturated fats, peanut butter may help reduce a person's LDL cholesterol levels. Having optimal LDL levels is linked with a lower risk of heart disease. A 2015 study found that people who had a high intake of nuts may have a lower risk of cardiovascular disease mortality.

Soluble fiber can reduce the absorption of cholesterol into your bloodstream. Soluble fiber is found in such foods as oatmeal, kidney beans, Brussels sprouts, apples and pears. Add whey protein. Whey protein, which is found in dairy products, may account for many of the health benefits attributed to dairy.

If you have high cholesterol, pasta doesn't have to be completely off-limits. By choosing healthy noodles and other ingredients, you can make heart-healthy pasta dishes. Try to steer clear of high-fat cheeses and meats. Instead, opt for low-fat and lean varieties.

The antioxidants in pasta help control inflammation and insulin, which in turn helps reduce levels of harmful LDL cholesterol and triglycerides.

Is popcorn low in cholesterol? Popcorn without added sugar or salt may have low levels of cholesterol. However, popcorn can have high levels of cholesterol if people prepare it with butter or a sugary coating, such as caramel.

While coffee does not contain cholesterol, it can affect cholesterol levels. The diterpenes in coffee suppress the body's production of substances involved in cholesterol breakdown, causing cholesterol to increase. Specifically, coffee diterpenes may cause an increase in total cholesterol and LDL levels.

Are baked potatoes good for cholesterol? ›

Baked potatoes are a naturally low-fat, low-cholesterol food. They're also packed with potassium, which some research suggests can greatly reduce risks of heart disease.

Full-fat yogurt

Research associates increased intake of full-fat fermented dairy products with reduced LDL (bad) cholesterol and blood pressure, as well as a lower risk of stroke, heart disease, and diabetes ( 23 ).

Oatmeal, oat bran and high-fiber foods

Soluble fiber is also found in such foods as kidney beans, Brussels sprouts, apples and pears. Soluble fiber can reduce the absorption of cholesterol into your bloodstream. Five to 10 grams or more of soluble fiber a day decreases your LDL cholesterol.

1. Mediterranean Diet. You'll eat what people in the countries surrounding the Mediterranean Sea have relied on for centuries: fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fish, lean meats, and olive oil. The proof is in the pudding: Scientific research suggests it's excellent for heart health.

“Cheerios is ... clinically proven to lower cholesterol. A clinical study showed that eating two 1.5 cup servings daily of Cheerios cereal reduced bad cholesterol when eaten as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol.”

The fiber and potassium in bananas can reduce the level of cholesterol and blood pressure. Banana is especially known as a good source of soluble fibre which will gives one a healthy body and good immune system.

Greek yogurt has been connected to lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels, which can reduce your risk of heart disease.

Vitamin B3, or niacin, has been shown to increase levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), or good, cholesterol, and decrease triglycerides. Niacin supplementation has been used since the 1950s as a treatment for high cholesterol.

When people have high cholesterol their LDL (bad) is high and their HDL (good) is low. Eating healthy, regular exercise and drinking plenty of water will help to bring down cholesterol levels within 2-3 weeks.

What are the 15 foods that lower cholesterol? ›

Vinaigrette-style dressings are easy to make by mixing vinegar (such as balsamic, white or red wine vinegars) with oil. Switching from saturated fats to unsaturated fats like vegetable oils (including olive or rapeseed oils) can help lower cholesterol levels when consumed as part of a balanced diet.

Cottage cheese and fat-free cheeses contain the least cholesterol per serving. And even whole milk ricotta cheese contains half the amount of cholesterol as cheddar cheese. All together, you can't go wrong with choosing low-fat or fat-free cheeses instead of their whole-milk counterparts.

Some evidence suggests consuming white rice in excess may contribute to high cholesterol. However, choosing whole grain varieties adds more fiber and nutrients to the diet and may help someone manage their cholesterol.

Hot-and-sour soup, steamed dumplings, and entrees that are steamed or lightly stir-fried are better choices than fatty egg-drop soup, egg rolls, or deep-fried specialties.

Skinless, lean, and ground chicken or turkey breast are good low-cholesterol choices. 100g of lean cuts of turkey breast contain around 104mg of cholesterol.

6. Oats. Oats significantly improved blood cholesterol levels over a period of 4 weeks in a small 2017 study . Participants with mildly elevated cholesterol levels ate 70 g of oats per day in the form of porridge.

For a totally ice-based dessert, try sorbet. At heart, it's just sugar and fruit cooked together and then frozen in an ice cream maker. There's no dairy in the mix, so it's safe for cholesterol levels. It has a similar texture and flavor to Italian ice, and tends to come in a variety of fruity flavors.

Myth 3: Potato chips contain cholesterol. Dietary cholesterol comes only from animal foods. Potato chips, along with fruits, vegetables and whole grains, have no cholesterol. However, be sure to check the nutrition facts label on the potato chip bag for saturated fat, which causes your body to produce more cholesterol.

Is 250 cholesterol high? ›

A cholesterol level of 250 mg/dL is considered high. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) , any total cholesterol level over 200 mg/dL is considered high cholesterol, or hyperlipidemia.

Instant and drip-brewed

Most cafestol can be removed by a paper filter (the filter retains the diterpenes), leaving drip-filtered coffee with negligible levels of it in the brew. This means that moderate consumption of filtered coffee shouldn't negatively impact your cholesterol levels.

A person is considered at high risk for developing heart disease if their total cholesterol level is higher than 240 mg/dL, LDL levels are higher than 160 mg/dL (190 mg/dL is even higher risk), and if the HDL level is below 40 mg/dL.

Research shows that sweet potatoes can lower your LDL "bad" cholesterol, which may lower your odds of heart problems.

Chicken can be exceptionally great cholesterol-friendly food if you serve it correctly. Chicken has less saturated fat and dietary cholesterol than pork, beef, and lamb. For example, you get only about 90-100 mg of cholesterol from eating a small grilled, skinless chicken.

Broccoli in particular is plentiful in soluble fiber, which does wonders for high cholesterol. Other cholesterol-busting vegetables to consider include spinach, Brussels sprouts and collard greens.

Fortunately for everyone who loves peanut butter, almond butter, and other nut butters, these creamy treats are fairly healthy. And as long as they don't contain hydrogenated fat, nut butters — including peanut butter — won't cause problems for your cholesterol levels.

Can eating too many nuts raise cholesterol? Yes, it is possible that eating nuts in excess may increase LDL cholesterol levels due to their saturated fat content. Eating nuts in excess may also exceed a person's daily calorie needs, leading to increased LDL cholesterol levels.

“Chocolate doesn't increase cholesterol levels, but it doesn't decrease cholesterol levels either.” Still, cocoa — a major ingredient in chocolate — may prove to be the next frontier in health research, according to Kris-Etherton.

Whole-grain bread, Ezekiel bread, and rye bread are among the most healthful options. Bread made from whole or sprouted grains contains essential nutrients, including protein, vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Others, such as processed white bread, contain very few nutrients.

What can I eat instead of bread? ›

Tisch Center for Women's Health at the NYU Langone Medical Center, says it can take between three to six months to see lower LDL numbers through just diet and exercise, noting that it takes longer to see changes in women than men.

If a healthcare professional has asked a person to fast, they should not consume anything other than water the night before a cholesterol test. Fasting means that a person can only consume water for the hours before their test. If a person does not need to fast, they should be able to eat and drink normally.

Whole-grain oats: Best bet for lowering cholesterol.

Losing as little as 10 pounds can be enough to improve your cholesterol levels. In one study, people who lost at least 5% of their weight significantly reduced their levels of LDL, total cholesterol, and triglycerides.

Whole grains, such as brown rice, brown bread and cereals, are very high in fibre. Fibre increases your body's levels of good cholesterol by reducing the amount of bile absorbed into the intestines.

Ezekiel bread is one of the healthiest breads available. It is made with several types of sprouted grains and legumes, including wheat, millet, barley, spelt, soybeans and lentils. The grains are allowed to sprout before processing, so they contain lower amounts of harmful antinutrients.

Is Dave's whole grain bread healthy? ›

But that's where Dave's Killer Bread comes in. It's organic, it's packed with whole grains, and it tastes really freakin' great. And nutritionists love it: It's relatively high in protein, high in fiber, and low in sugar. “I love bread,” says OnPoint Nutrition founder Britney Kennedy.

Focus on Fruit

"Try a baked apple, poached pear, a bowl of sorbet topped with diced mango," recommends Elizabeth Somer, MA, RD, author of "Eat Your Way to Happiness" (Harlequin, 2009). She also suggests snacking on frozen blueberries or dunking fresh strawberries in a little fat-free dark chocolate syrup.

The worst foods for high cholesterol, given their high saturated fat content, include: Red meat, like beef, pork, and lamb, as well as processed meats like sausage. Full-fat dairy, like cream, whole milk, and butter. Baked goods and sweets.

Oats. Oats significantly improved blood cholesterol levels over a period of 4 weeks in a small 2017 study .

Skinless, lean, and ground chicken or turkey breast are good low-cholesterol choices. 100g of lean cuts of turkey breast contain around 104mg of cholesterol.

The pasta itself and the buttery breadcrumbs that top it off might also contribute to unhealthy cholesterol levels. Research has shown that refined carbohydrates, like white bread and white pasta, can increase LDL cholesterol.