Heres to a healthier time around the mealtime table starting now. According to the American Heart Association, saturated fat is the number one dietary cause of high cholesterol. And since a diet of high cholesterol foods is usually one high in sodium as well, many people with high cholesterol also have high blood pressure. In other words, were getting way too high off our diet.
Saturated fats are mainly contained in meats and dairy products. To reduce our chances of heart disease and stroke, we need to limit foods with saturated fats, manage our intake of high cholesterol foods and substitute low cholesterol foods as often as possible. Here are cooking tips from the American Heart Association to do just that.
The Meat of the Matter:
Select lean meats and broil, roast or bake instead of frying.
Use a rack for cooking to drain off fats. Baste the meat with wine, fruit juice or a low cholesterol marinade.
Cook boiled meats, soups and stews a day early. Refrigerate and remove the hardened fat from the top before eating. Strain the fat from gravies and sauces.
Remove chicken and turkey skin and eat the leaner meat inside.
Limit high-saturated fat, high sodium and high cholesterol foods like sausage, salami, bologna, hot dogs, and liver. Instead choose baked, broiled or grilled fish at least twice a week.
Add meat in moderation to stews, soups, casseroles and spaghetti for a lower cholesterol diet.
Eat veggies instead of meat. Substitute eggplant in lasagna and a grilled Portobello mushroom for your burger on the bun.
