30 Days of Cholesterol Diet Recipes You'll Actually Enjoy (2024)

If you have high cholesterol or are worried about getting it in the future, rest assured that there are lifestyle changes you can make to help turn your health around. Starting a heart healthy diet is one of the best things you can do to start feeling better, and we’ve rounded up 30 days of cholesterol diet recipes so you can start living a healthier lifestyle today!

What is High Cholesterol?

High cholesterol is a medical condition that increases your risk for heart disease and stroke by clogging your blood vessels. It can become quite dangerous as there are no symptoms for high cholesterol. It is typically diagnosed during routine blood tests and is very serious.

The body only needs a certain amount of cholesterol. A small amount of cholesterol is necessary because the body uses it to build the structure of cell membranes, make hormones and help your metabolism work properly. If there’s too much cholesterol in the bloodstream, the excess may be deposited along the walls of the arteries, including the coronary arteries of the heart, the carotid arteries of the brain, and the arteries that supply blood to the legs and intestines.

What Causes High Cholesterol?

There are a number of factors that contribute to a high blood cholesterol level, including lifestyle choices such as smoking, lack of exercise and unhealthy eating habits. Underlying conditions, such as high blood pressure and diabetes also make you more susceptible to high cholesterol. High cholesterol also tends to run in the family, so if your parents or grandparents have high cholesterol, it makes you more likely to have it too.

What is the Cholesterol Diet?

The cholesterol diet is an eating plan that increases the cholesterol-lowering foods in your diet and decreases or eliminates high cholesterol foods. Unhealthy eating habits are one of the major contributors to high cholesterol and eating the right foods will help you get your health back on track. The cholesterol diet:

  • Eliminates saturated and trans fats that raise LDL (bad) cholesterol and lower your HDL (good) cholesterol, such as baked goods, processed meats, French fries, crackers and margarine
  • Increases healthy fats such as nuts, avocado, and unsaturated oils like olive and canola
  • Limits foods with high cholesterol like shrimp, liver, egg yolks and whole milk dairy products
  • Includes plenty of fibre, fruits, vegetables, and fish that are high in omega 3 fatty acids
  • Limits salt and alcohol intake

Does the Cholesterol Diet Work?

Eating a diet that will lower your cholesterol is a heart-healthy lifestyle change you should be making ASAP if you have high cholesterol. Eating the right foods will increase your good cholesterol and lower your bad cholesterol, helping you reduce your cholesterol in a healthy, natural way. Keep in mind that dietary changes aren’t always enough, and be sure to check with your health care provider to see if additional measures are needed to lower your cholesterol levels.

If you’re looking for cholesterol-friendly recipes, we’ve curated our favorites below!

30 Cholesterol Diet Recipes for Breakfast

1. Yogurt, Honey and Walnut Parfait | My Recipes
2. Cinnamon Porridge with Banana and Berries | BBC Good Food
3. Heart Healthy Overnight Oats | The Harvest Kitchen
4. Low-Cholesterol Pancakes | Taste of Home
5. Healthy Veggie Egg Scramble | Everyday Eileen
6. Cholesterol Cure Oat Bran Muffins | Yummly
7. Western Omelet Sandwich | Good Housekeeping
8. Savoury Egg Muffins | My Recipes
9. Oatmeal with Peanut Butter and Banana | Eat This, Not That
10. Yogurt with Berries and Nuts | Melanie Cooks
11. Steel Cut Oats | Soulful Vegan
12. Chocolate, Cannellini Bean and Cinnamon Smoothie | Livestrong
13. Egg and Avocado Toast | Getviral
14. Cholesterol Busting Muffins | Yummly
15. Bulgur Porridge | My Recipes
16. Cholesterol Free Buttermilk Pancakes | Recipe Land
17. Blueberry Recipes | All Recipes
18. Fruit and Oat Breakfast Bake | Quaker
19. Zucchini and Tomato Frittata | Better Homes & Gardens
20. Mediterannean Egg Muffins | Food Faith Fitness
21. Omelet with Turmeric, Tomato and Onions | My Recipes
22. Walnut Flaxseed Yogurt | Livestrong
23. Quinoa Omelette Bites | Tablespoon
24. Ginger Berry Smoothie Bowl | Better Homes & Gardens
25. Peanut Butter Toast with Greek Yogurt and Grapes | Livestrong
26. Blackberry Mango Breakfast Bake | My Recipes
27. Oat Bran Muffins | Yummly
28. Cinnamon and Spice Millet Porridge | Livestrong
29. Breakfast Salad | Better Homes & Gardens
30. Banana Breakfast Smoothie | My Recipes

30 Cholesterol Diet Recipes for Lunch

1. Zingy Salmon and Brown Rice Salad | BBC Good Food
2. Lemony Chickpea Salad with Chickpeas and Avocado | The Kitchen Girl
3. Superfood Salmon Salad | Apples and Beans
4. Turkey Bagel Sandwich | Diabetes Forecast
5. Tuscan Bean Soup | Better Homes & Gardens
6. Vegetable and Bean Chilli | BBC Good Food
7. Moroccan Chicken Salad Pitas | Creme de la Crumb
8. Arugula and Goat Cheese Pizza | Health
9. Turkey Tacos | All Recipes
10. Healthy Broccoli Roman Style | Food Network
11. Balsamic Chicken with Asparagus and Tomato | Julia’s Album
12. Vegetable Tagine with Chickpeas and Raisins | BBC Good Food
13. Healthy Tuna Stuffed Avocado | The Stay at Home Chef
14. Hummus and Bean Wrap | Six Sisters Stuff
15. Asian Chopped Salad with Peanut Dressing | The Art of Comfort Baking
16. Warming Pesto Butter Beans | Lakeland Blog
17. Carrot Ginger Soup | Health
18. Bean and Tomato Soup | Tarladalal
19. Chicken Florentine Pasta | Dishing Out Health
20. Mediterranean Tuna Salad | Tori Avey
21. Low Fat Chicken Fried Rice | Erren’s Kitchen
22. Rainbow Salad | Running on Real Food
23. Healthy Chicken Salad | Joyful Healthy Eats
24. Three Bean Protein Salad | Shane and Simple
25. Sweet Potato and Black Bean Quinoa Bowls | Recipe Runner
26. Vegetarian Chilli | Health
27. Mediterranean Farro Salad | Gimme Some Oven
28. Barley and Chickpea Risotto | Foxes Love Lemons
29. Orange Ginger Tofu Bowl | Keepin’ It Kind
30. Loaded Sweet Potato | Kara Lydon

30 Cholesterol Diet Recipes Dinner

1. One Skillet Chicken and Broccoli | Skinny MS
2. Low Cholesterol Baked Chicken | Yummly
3. Indian Winter Soup | BBC Good Food
4. Zucchini Noodle Soup | Peas and Crayons
5. Vegan Meatballs | Minimalist Baker
6. Lentil-Stuffed Peppers | Peanut Butter and Peppers
7. Spicy Sofritas Tofu | Pinch of Yum
8. Healthy Cauliflower Rice | Food Network
9. Chicken and Asparagus Bake | Eating Well
10. Grilled Cilantro Salmon | All Recipes
11. Baked Turkey Meatballs | It’s Yummi
12. Thai Peanut Pasta | Your Cup of Cake
13. Tofu Tacos | Eating Well
14. Garden Vegetable Soup | Food Network
15. Sweet Potato Falafel Sandwich | Sweet Potato Soul
16. Roasted Zucchini Tuna Melts | The Honour System
17. Low Cholesterol Scalloped Potatoes | Spark Recipes
18. Dinner Bowl with Tofu and Avocado | Running on Real Food
19. Skinny Chicken Marsala | Grandbaby Cakes
20. Porcini Mushroom Pasta | All Recipes
21. Vegan Lentil Burgers | Food Network
22. Citrus Salad with Chia-Celery Dressing | Eating Well
23. Red Lentil Curry | All Recipes
24. Sweet Potato Black Bean Quinoa Bowls | Recipe Runner
25. Cholesterol-Busting Chicken Curry | We Heart Living
26. Lentil Tacos | Delish Knowledge
27. Lighter Asian Noodle Salad | Food Network
28. Spinach Salad with Sweet Potatoes, White Beans and Basil | Eating Well
29. Grilled Salmon with Avocado Salsa | The Cookie Rookie
30. Chicken and Black Bean Burritos | Betty Crocker

30 Cholesterol Diet Snack Recipes

1. Beet Hummus | Gluten Free Vegan Pantry
2. Apple Chips with Mint Yogurt Dip | My Recipes
3. Chewy Granola Bars | Taste of Home
4. Roasted Red Pepper Hummus | Lazy Cat Kitchen
5. Watermelon Granita | Yummy, Healthy, Easy
6. Baked Broccoli Mushroom Fritters | Sumptuous Spoonful
7. Oat and Raisin Cookies | Tarladalal
8. Cinnamon Energy Balls | Running on Real Food
9. Crispy Parmesan Chickpeas | My Recipes
10. Avocado Hummus and Fresh Tomatillo Salsa Verde | The Mediterranean Dish
11. Mango Black Bean Salsa | Taste of Home
12. No Bake Energy Balls | Del’s Cooking Twist
13. Oatmeal Cookies | Just a Pinch
14. Homemade Soft Pretzels | My Recipes
15. Greek Layered Hummus | Saving Room for Dessert
16. Cherry Almond Broccoli Salad | Sumptuous Spoonfuls
17. Peanut Butter Energy Balls | Eating Well
18. Heart Healthy Trail Mix | Meals with Maggie
19. Nutty Broccoli Slaw | Taste of Home
20. Warm Spiced Cashews | My Recipes
21. Carrot, Walnut and Red Lentil Hummus | Blissful Basil
22. Low Fat Chewy Oatmeal Bars | Kosher
23. Baked Carrot Chips | A Spicy Perspective
24. Ham and Cheddar Broccoli Tots | Sumptuous Spoonfuls
25. Homemade Guacamole | Taste of Home
26. Nuts and Seeds Trail Mix | Taste of Home
27. Cranberry Oat Bars | My Recipes
28. White Bean Hummus | How Sweet Eats
29. Sweet and Salty Trail Mix | Neighbour Food Blog
30. Garlic Rosemary Roasted Cauliflower | Sumptuous Spoonfuls

If you have high cholesterol, lowering your cholesterol levels should be your first priority. Use these recipes to make sure you’re eating heart-healthy recipes that will make you feel better!

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30 Days of Cholesterol Diet Recipes You'll Actually Enjoy (2024)

FAQs

What is the number one food to lower cholesterol? ›

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.

How to reduce cholesterol in 30 days menu? ›

Healthy Foods to Lower Cholesterol
  1. Beans and lentils.
  2. Fish, especially salmon.
  3. Olive oil.
  4. Avocados.
  5. Nuts and seeds, including chia and flax.
  6. Natural peanut butter or any nut butter.
  7. Whole grains, such as oatmeal, quinoa, brown rice or whole-wheat bread.
  8. Fruit, especially high-fiber fruits like berries, apples and pears.
Jul 13, 2023

What are the six super foods that lower cholesterol? ›

Add these foods to lower LDL cholesterol
  • Oats. ...
  • Barley and other whole grains. ...
  • Beans. ...
  • Eggplant and okra. ...
  • Nuts. ...
  • Vegetable oils. ...
  • Apples, grapes, strawberries, citrus fruits. ...
  • Foods fortified with sterols and stanols.
Mar 26, 2024

What can I drink to flush out my cholesterol? ›

Cholesterol is often high due to excessive saturated and trans fat consumption. There are certain drinks that can help maintain an ideal cholesterol level. Some of the best drinks for cholesterol management include green tea, pomegranate juice, citrus juice, soy milk, plant-based smoothies, and red wine.

What is the golden drink that lowers cholesterol? ›

Golden milk, also known as turmeric milk, is a common Indian drink that has recently been gaining popularity in western cultures due to many health claims.

What is the number one fruit to lower cholesterol? ›

“Avocados are effectively the only fruit that contains monounsaturated fat, with 5 grams per one-third of a medium avocado,” Sabgir states. “This can help reduce LDL cholesterol levels in your blood, which can lower your risk of heart disease and stroke. Not to mention, they are free of sugar and sodium.”

Are potatoes bad for cholesterol? ›

Potatoes are rich in soluble fibre, which can be consumed by high cholesterol patients without any confusion. Consuming potatoes not only maintains the cholesterol level, but the body also gets many health benefits.

Is peanut butter good for cholesterol? ›

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.

What are two foods that someone with high cholesterol should avoid? ›

It suggests limiting the intake of the following foods to achieve this:
  • fatty beef.
  • lamb.
  • pork.
  • poultry with skin.
  • lard and shortening.
  • dairy products made from whole or reduced fat milk.
  • saturated vegetable oils, such as coconut oil, palm oil, and palm kernel oil.

What is the best drink to lower cholesterol? ›

Best drinks to improve cholesterol
  1. Green tea. Green tea contains catechins and other antioxidant compounds that seem to help lower LDL and total cholesterol levels. ...
  2. Soy drinks. Soy is low in saturated fat. ...
  3. Oat drinks. ...
  4. Tomato juice. ...
  5. Berry smoothies. ...
  6. Drinks containing sterols and stanols. ...
  7. Cocoa drinks. ...
  8. Plant milk smoothies.
Oct 27, 2023

Do bananas lower cholesterol? ›

However, cholesterol can be bad if too much comes from foods high in saturated fat. This is why it is important to eat foods to help lower your cholesterol, such as those high in soluble fiber. Fruits like avocados and apples, and citrus fruits like oranges and bananas are foods that can help lower cholesterol.

Are eggs bad for high cholesterol? ›

One large egg has about 186 mg of cholesterol — all of which is found in the yolk. If your diet contains little other cholesterol, according to some studies, eating up to an egg a day might be an OK choice. If you like eggs but don't want the cholesterol, use only the egg whites.

Is spaghetti bad for cholesterol? ›

Pasta can be bad for cholesterol, as can other refined carbohydrates such as white bread and white rice. Pasta doesn't contain cholesterol, but it is high in carbohydrates. Some types of carbohydrates can affect cholesterol levels, so it's important to eat the right kind of pasta along with healthier sauces and sides.

Can lemon water lower cholesterol? ›

Thanks to their naturally high vitamin C levels, lemons are also beneficial in helping to lower blood cholesterol levels. Mixing the juice of two to three lemons in water each day can be enough to lower your low-density lipoprotein (also known as 'bad' cholesterol) and lower the risk of heart disease.

What is the number one vegetable to lower cholesterol? ›

Brussels Sprouts Are a Good Source of Soluble Fiber

According to the National Lipid Association, adding just 5 to 10 grams of soluble fiber per day to your diet from foods like vegetables could lower total and “bad” LDL cholesterol by at least 5 to 11 points.

What are the top five foods to lower cholesterol? ›

Cholesterol-lowering foods
  • Oatmeal, oat bran and high-fiber foods. Foods high in soluble fiber help reduce the absorption of cholesterol into your bloodstream. ...
  • Fish and omega-3 fatty acids. ...
  • Walnuts, almonds and other nuts. ...
  • Olive oil. ...
  • Foods with added plant sterols and stanols.

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