Snack Temptations For High Cholesterol

Summer is the time to get away from the routine - the season in which it is easiest to turn your back on the annoying counting of calories, the inches around the waist and the accumulation of daily steps from home to the office. An ice cocktail, a ball of chocolate ice cream, a foggy glass of beer with a portion of crispy chips - how can you not let it end? Not if the "bad" LDL cholesterol usually peeks out of blood tests - and without a day off.

People with high levels of LDL cholesterol usually count every calorie - including those on small snacks during the day. Everyday temptations such as biscuits, salads, chips, waffles and pastries lurk everywhere, but apart from a moment of pleasure, they do not endow the body with anything good. At the same time, eating at short intervals and with small amounts of food has been shown to help maintain good blood sugar levels throughout the day.

Therefore, light but healthy snacks are another good opportunity to include in the daily menu foods that help lower high cholesterol. 

Popcorn

Corn and popcorn are from the group of whole grains, which means that they are rich in fiber. A number of studies even show that popcorn has more fiber than wholemeal bread and brown rice. But this delicious, crunchy and low-calorie breakfast should be prepared properly and consumed in moderation. Widespread commercial popcorn for the microwave is not the best option because it is overflowing with fat and salt.

Popcorn suitable for the diet with high cholesterol should be without additional additives - only a little olive oil or grated Parmesan cheese can be added to taste.

Nuts

Nuts are a great option for a snack that keeps cholesterol levels at normal levels. Almonds, for example, are rich in unsaturated fats, which help maintain good vascular health - the substances in the nut prevent the oxidation of "bad" cholesterol.

Walnuts are another good choice. But their consumption should be with caution, because all nuts are high in calories. Therefore, nutritionists do not exclude them from the healthy menu, but put them within strict limits: about 20 almonds and 7-8 walnuts a day are enough for the body to get full and take the most of a delicious breakfast.

Vegetables and hummus

This is not just a breakfast - this is a feast for the senses! The fact is, however, that no one eats enough vegetables in their daily menu. They are a great choice at any time because they are not only full of fiber, vitamins and minerals that contribute to good health, but are also low in fat and sodium. And this keeps the heart healthy.

Scientists have long believed that cholesterol problems do not require a transition to a completely vegetarian diet, but emphasize that the rich palette of colors and flavors of vegetables bring the most health benefits. And when garnished with homemade chickpea hummus or ripe beans, the taste buds really explode. Do not underestimate hummus - it is another fresh and tasty dose of fiber, protein and antioxidants for the body.

Homemade chips

Chips - also known as forbidden food, are really good to be excluded from the healthy menu. But when we "remove" all the fat and salt from the potatoes, they become a friend of cholesterol. Potatoes themselves are low in calories, high in fiber and full of potassium - useful for maintaining good blood pressure.

An alternative to chips are home-made thin slices and baked potatoes. Olive oil and the aromas of thyme and rosemary will help the taste.

Oatmeal

Oatmeal is not just a breakfast - in the fight against cholesterol, they can be consumed at any time of day. They contain a specific soluble fiber that literally "absorbs" cholesterol in the intestinal tract without being absorbed into the body. It is a known fact that daily consumption of a glass of oatmeal, combined with a diet rich in fiber and low in fat, can be extremely useful in the prevention of cardiovascular disease. 

Fruits

Of course! How to quench the thirst for sweets during the day without harming cholesterol? Apples, strawberries, grapes and citrus fruits all contain a large amount of pectin, which works directly to lower LDL cholesterol levels. Many fruits are also rich in potassium, which keeps the heart healthy.

Whole grain bread

Black bread is a mandatory part of a balanced menu. Rich in fiber and complex carbohydrates, it saturates the body and literally "keeps" cholesterol at reasonable levels. It successfully fights various health problems by reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity, constipation and more.