Everything you eat affects your cholesterol. Some foods, like fruits and vegetables, have positive impacts on heart health, while fattier options, like steak and pork chops, can raise the levels of bad cholesterol. Even if you visit the cardiologist for a medical condition, it may not be necessary to eliminate all types of meat from your diet. To stay healthy, eat a balanced diet full of nutrient-rich legumes, greens, and fruit.

How Do Different Meats Affect Cholesterol? 

Red Meat

Beef, pork, and lamb contain higher percentages of saturated fat and trans fat, which have been shown to raise cholesterol levels. Raising your ‘bad’ cholesterol can increase the risk of heart failure, coronary heart disease, cardiac arrest, and stroke.

Processed Meat

Sausage, bologna sausage, salami, and hot dogs are high in saturated fat, calories, and sodium. Similarly to red meat, these types of protein elevate bad cholesterol.

Lean Meat

Lean poultry, fish, and turkey are good sources of protein, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin B12, niacin, zinc, and iron. Since they contain less fat, they don’t raise ‘bad’ cholesterol levels like other options, and are healthier alternatives to red or processed meats. The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends consuming no more than six ounces of lean meat or seafood per day.

What Kind of Meat Should You Buy?

Lean meat with minimal visible fat is the best option for those with high cholesterol. “Choice” or “select” grades have less fat than “prime” cuts. However, a few healthier options to choose include:

• Chicken: breast, white meat
• Turkey: breast, white meat
• Oily fish: salmon, trout, herring
• Shellfish: shrimp, crab, lobster

How Can You Cook Healthy Meals?

Try to avoid using oil and butter, which increase the level of cholesterol in your recipe. To keep meat juicy without these ingredients, prepare it by baking, broiling, stewing, and roasting. Use a drip rack to drain the fat as you cook. You can also marinate the protein in wine or fruit juice to impart more flavor without affecting the fat content. 

If you have high cholesterol, manage it with the help of the cardiologists and nutritionists at Nathan Littauer Hospital & Nursing Home in Gloversville, NY. This full-service acute care hospital offers a range of testing methods to diagnose and monitor heart conditions, including electrocardiograms, stress testing, and vascular ultrasounds. They also offer nutritional services to help patients with cardiovascular diseases stay healthy. Visit their website to learn more about their work with nutrition, or call (518) 725-8621 to schedule an appointment with a cardiologist.