Foods High In Cholesterol

“I’m sorry Mr. Smith, you’re going to have to go on a super high cholesterol diet. I want you to eat absolutely nothing but foods that are high in cholesterol.” What are the chances of your personal physician telling you that? Slim to none? None? It’s unfortunate because foods that are high in cholesterol are some of the most wonderfully scrumptious foods in the world. I’m no food critic but I do love to eat, so knowing what to watch out for is a good idea.

The list of foods high in cholesterol changes frequently; look at eggs. They used to be bad for you; now they’re good for you in moderation. Isn’t just about everything good for you as long as it’s in moderation? I mean seriously; if we didn’t eat too much of any one thing, but a large selection of things in general; wouldn’t we be one of the healthiest countries on the planet instead of the most obese? I’m all about eating large selections…  Just too much of them. Regardless, here are a few things to watch out for if you’re trying to maintain your already low cholesterol, in which case most people hate you; or if as with most Americans, you need to lower it.

Fatty meat

Meat that is marbled make for some of the most succulent steaks which is really a shame considering that the fat content in those steaks will be through the roof. Beef, roasts, pork, ribs all have skyscraper levels of cholesterol as well as the side dishes that usually accompany them. Carnivores, such as myself, in general will be prone to the consumption of high levels of cholesterol. While we’re on the subject of meat, organ meats (which are admittedly an acquired taste) contain crazy bad levels of cholesterol. Never should one make a steady diet of these.

Eggs

Remember earlier when I mentioned eggs? Well, you can eat all the eggs you want (within reason) – just don’t eat the yolks; in other words, the best part. And yet, it’s true. Couple that with sausage, Canadian bacon, ham or real bacon and you’ve got a high cholesterol catastrophe. Tasty though.

Chicken

For those of you who thought that eating chicken was going to be a smart choice over your usual steak, I don’t suppose you’re removing the skin and tossing away? I don’t think so. Ah, there’s the rub. That crispy, seasoned yummy skin is a huge no-no if you’re trying to reduce your cholesterol. Popping a little piece here and there is not going to be the end of you, but hold off on it for special occasions or something. And when you do indulge in a little piece—enjoy it, because you really shouldn’t be having any again for a long time.

Deep fried foods

We deep fry everything. Fries, chicken nuggets, cheese curds, shrimp—you name it; we fry it.  Donuts, deep fried chocolate bars, my God, there’s even deep fried butter! (I will say however, that I draw the line at deep fried butter.) I don’t care what it is that you’re deep frying, it could be zucchini; it’s bad for you. Tastes great. More killing.

Pastries

You know that bakery shop down the road? Go the other way to work from now on. Your pastries, cupcakes, certain cookies and all the other goodies that you see displayed behind that fingerprinted glass case (I hope those are fingerprints and not drool marks) need to go the same way as your deep fried favorites. Out the window, down the drain, kicked to the curb, booted out and forgotten. They are cholesterol creators that will pack on the pounds. They can make a good man turn bad. They can take an ordinarily composed, self assured woman of authority and turn her into a sniveling idiot. Such is the power that bakery goodies hold over us humans. We are weak and they are strong. We must resist their temptations at all costs. (Yeah, right.)

Milk

Remember how mom told you to drink all your milk? Guess what. Yes… unless it’s skim or 1% it’s fat.  Cheese, ice cream and other milk products, or anything labeled creamed, is no longer considered healthy but high in cholesterol.