Beans are inexpensive and very nutritious, as are other legumes. They contain a water-based fiber called pectin, which is also found in apples. This surrounds cholesterol and guides it out of the body before health problems can occur. Beans can lower your cholesterol level by 20% if you eat about 11/2 cups per day. This also will give you your daily dose of fiber, which is about 6 grams.
There’s no need to get bored eating beans. Black-eyed peas, navy beans, kidney beans, pinto beans, lima beans, soybeans, lentils and white beans all work to reduce cholesterol levels.
Fruit
Most fruits contain at least some pectin. Grapefruit, apples, oranges, and a variety of other fruits will help to lower cholesterol levels. Grapefruit is especially good, as two cups of grapefruit sections can lower your cholesterol level as much 7%.
Oats
Oat bran or oatmeal can lower cholesterol much in the same way as pectin. It also works as well as a heavy diet of beans. Everyone needs at least 6 grams of soluble fiber each day. A half cup of oatmeal can give you most of your recommended amount of fiber daily. Corn bran mixed with soup or tomato juice can lower cholesterol levels as much as 20% after about twelve weeks.
Carrots
Carrots contain pectin and can work in lowering cholesterol levels by as much as 20%. Just eat two raw carrots daily to make these delicious vegetables work for you. Carrots can bring your cholesterol levels into the safe range quickly, as can other vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage, onions and garlic.
Exercise
Exercise is a very important factor when attempting to control cholesterol levels. It is one of the best ways to raise HDL levels and lower LDL levels. Exercise also aids the body in clearing fat from the blood after meals. If fat doesn’t stay in the blood, it can’t have raise cholesterol levels.
Red Meat
This might surprise you, but red meat, can be part of a healthy diet, although it has to be lean and all visible fat must be trimmed. Researchers have concluded that if red meat products are used in moderation, they are actually good for us.