Health experts recommend that people with high cholesterol pay close attention to their diet, without this meaning that they should be deprived of eating delicious foods or enjoying their daily meals.
High cholesterol is a serious health condition resulting from the buildup of fats inside blood vessels, increasing the risk of heart and brain diseases. If an artery supplying the brain becomes blocked, a stroke may occur, while a blockage in an artery supplying the heart muscle can lead to a heart attack.
When high cholesterol is diagnosed or reaches the threshold between normal and high, modifying lifestyle and diet becomes a necessary step to prevent potentially life-threatening complications.
In this context, the Heart UK charity, according to a Surrey Live report, presented a model for a healthy lunch that can help lower cholesterol: a cheese and walnut sandwich.
Two slices of whole wheat or whole grain bread.
30 grams of low-fat spreadable cheese (such as Philadelphia cheese).
Three finely chopped walnuts.
A quarter of a celery stalk, cut into small cubes.
Black pepper to taste.
The UK's National Health Service (NHS) explains that making simple changes to the diet can make a significant difference to cholesterol levels, particularly by reducing saturated fats and replacing them with unsaturated fats.
Foods to avoid include: meat pies, sausages, fatty meats, butter, margarine, fatty cheese, hard cheeses such as cheddar, as well as cakes and biscuits, and foods containing coconut oil or palm oil.
On the other hand, it is recommended to eat plenty of fatty fish such as salmon and mackerel, healthy oils such as olive oil and rapeseed oil, whole grains such as brown rice, wholemeal bread and wholemeal pasta, along with nuts, seeds, fruits and vegetables.
Doctors also emphasize the importance of a healthy lifestyle, including quitting smoking, reducing alcohol consumption, and having regular cholesterol level checks.
Physical activity is an essential part of a cholesterol-lowering plan, with a recommendation to engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week, such as brisk walking, cycling, or swimming.
