Cholesterol Management

Too much cholesterol in the blood can lead to heart disease-America's number one killer. Even though there's much you can do to lower your cholesterol levels and protect yourself, half of all Americans still have levels that are too high (over 200 mg/dl).

You can reduce cholesterol in your blood by eating healthful foods, losing weight if you need to and exercising. Some people also need to take medicine because changing their diet isn't enough. Your doctor and nurses will help you set up a plan for reducing your cholesterol and keeping your heart healthy.

To control the amount and kind of fat, saturated fatty acids, and dietary cholesterol you eat:

• Eat up to 6 ounces (cooked) per day of lean meat, fish and skinless poultry.
• Try main dishes featuring pasta, rice, beans and/or vegetables. Or create "low-meat" dishes by mixing these foods with small amounts of lean meat, poultry or fish.
• The approximately 5 to 8 teaspoon servings of fats and oils per day may be used for cooking and baking, and in salad dressings and spreads.
• Use cooking methods that require little or no fat — boil, broil, bake, roast, poach, steam, sauté, stir-fry or microwave.
• Trim off the fat you can see before cooking meat and poultry. Drain off all fat after browning. Chill soups and stews after cooking so you can remove the hardened fat from the top.
• The 3 to 4 egg yolks per week included in your eating plan may be used alone or in cooking and baking (including store-bought products).
• Limit your use of organ meats such as liver, brains, chitterlings, kidney, heart, gizzard, sweetbreads and pork maws.
• Choose skim or 1% fat milk and nonfat or low-fat yogurt and cheeses.

To round out the rest of your eating plan:

• Eat 5 or more servings of fruits or vegetables per day.
• Eat 6 or more servings of breads, cereals or grains per day.