Cholesterol may be lowered by eating a regular diet of heart-healthy foods, such as oatmeal, oat bran and high fiber foods, fish and omega-3 fatty acids, walnuts, almonds and foods with added plant sterols, according to the Mayo Clinic. Cooking with olive oil is also a healthy option.Continue Reading
Foods that lower LDL, the harmful particle with cholesterol that contributes to artery clogging, help to reduce cholesterol, according to the Harvard Medical School. Foods that deliver soluble fiber, such as oats and high-fiber foods, bind cholesterol in the digestive system and lower LDL.
Foods with added plant sterols, such as margarines, yogurt drinks and orange juice, block the body from absorbing cholesterol and help reduce the LDL cholesterol by approximately 10 percent, according to the Mayo Clinic. Changes in cooking practices can also help reduce LDL cholesterol, also known as the bad cholesterol. For example, olive oil contains antioxidants that lower LDL cholesterol and can be used to saute vegetables, mix with salad dressing or substitute for butter. Additional changes to a person's diet, such as cutting back on foods with LDL cholesterol and saturated and trans fats, found in full-fat dairy products, meat and some oils, help to reduce cholesterol.Learn more about Nutritional Amounts & Limits