Heart Healthy Snacks For Lowering Your Cholesterol
July 6, 2009 
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Low-density lipoprotein, also known as bad cholesterol, plays a major role in the development of coronary heart diseases. Lowering the blood cholesterol levels is possible through medication, but also through healthy snacks that prevent cholesterol blocks from forming on the walls of blood vessels.
Nuts
These healthy foods have cholesterol lowering properties and are able to lower the risk of heart disease. In addition, the polyunsaturated fatty acids found in the nuts promote the health and elasticity of blood vessels. Nuts are also rich in phytosterols and dietary fiber, which are also able to protect your heart from various afflictions. Some of the nuts approved by FDA for having cardio-protective effects include:
- Almonds
- Hazelnuts
- Pistachios
- Pecans
- Walnuts
- Peanuts
Brazil nuts, macadamia nuts, cashew nuts, and several types of pine nuts did not qualify on this list. Almonds, walnuts, and pistachios seem to be particularly effective, as they have a protective role on your heart.
Oatmeal And Oat Bran
Oatmeal should not be missing from your breakfast. The cholesterol-lowering effect appears due to the soluble fiber beta-glucan that is contained in these healthy foods. More than that, the proteins and natural antioxidants found in oats can also protect your heart from various diseases.
Barley Products
Barley is known to contain at least as much beta-glucan as oats. This type of fiber improves catabolism of cholesterol, excretion of bile acids, and delays the assimilation of fat. FDA approved whole grain barley and products based on this cereal in December, 2005. Because they have a strong heart-protective effect, barley products should be included in your healthy meals.
In order to maintain the cholesterol levels low, you need to make sure that your diet is based on some of these healthy snacks. Low calorie snacks should be consumed between your healthy lunches, so you make sure that the cholesterol levels do not increase.
Related posts:
- Do’s and Dont’s: Lowering Cholesterol with a Vegetarian Diet
- Anne Collins Cholesterol-Lowering Diet
- 3 Foods that Help Lower Cholesterol
- Polyunsaturated Fats: Improve Cholesterol With These Healthy Choices
- Sample Menu for Anne Collins Cholesterol-Lowering Diet
Has anyone else tried Corazonas chips? They have heart healthy tortilla chips that they actually guarantee will reduce your cholesterol. I ate the quattro cheese and they were YUMMY! They even say that if you eat so many of them in 28 days it will guarantee to help lower your cholesterol.