Snacks For Patients With High Cholesterol

The body needs cholesterol so that it can produce sufficient amounts of vitamin D and hormones. This fatty substance also helps improve an individual’s digestion. Unfortunately, however, it is very easy for individuals to end up with high cholesterol. High cholesterol is quite serious, as it dramatically increases an individual’s risk of strokes, heart disease, and even heart attacks. Otherwise healthy adults are supposed to receive a cholesterol test at their doctor’s office once every 5 years. However, as individuals age, especially if they get high cholesterol, this testing frequency will increase.

Most individuals will require high cholesterol meds to treat their condition. Since cholesterol medication does come with side effects, it is common for patients to inquire about the safest cholesterol medicine. Thus, they will often try plant sterol supplements and other vitamins for high cholesterol. However, it is still vital for patients with high cholesterol to follow a healthy diet, including the snacks they choose.

Variety Of Nuts

Fiber is an important part of everyone’s diet for many reasons, including to help their bowel movements stay regular. Soluble fiber, however, is even more important for individuals with high cholesterol. This is because evidence has indicated this type of fiber has cholesterol-lowering properties. Some experts also believe that antioxidants may prevent cholesterol from clogging the arteries. Certain nuts, such as walnuts, are considered good sources of antioxidants. Nuts can also contain plant sterols, which may help reduce a patient’s reliance on supplements.

However, patients must not rely on only one type of nut. They need a variety to have a chance at getting all of the potential health benefits. Thus, instead of only consuming walnuts, individuals with high cholesterol should also eat almonds, pecans, and macadamia nuts, among others.

Uncover information on a portable snack for high cholesterol next.

Apples

Patients suffering from high cholesterol need to include apples as a regular snack. The main reason for this is that they are high in fiber. However, to get the most out of apples, individuals must leave the skin on. Although peeling apples may seem appealing, it is not helpful for individuals with high cholesterol. Most of the fiber that apples contain is in the skin. This means that leaving the skin off can make this snack almost pointless to consume. Apples do contain some antioxidants, which can help with lowering cholesterol. Once again, however, most of them are within the skin of the apple.

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Trail Mix

Trail mix contains a variety of nuts as well as other ingredients that are high in fiber. These other ingredients are typically raisins, dried fruit such as bananas, and oats. Unfortunately, high cholesterol patients cannot pick just any trail mix. This is because many pre-packaged trail mixes contain high amounts of sugar. This includes coating the nuts and other ingredients in sugar. They may even have chocolate chips or candy in the trail mix itself. Thus, patients with high cholesterol must make their trail mix so they can receive the benefits with minimal side effects.

Discover what two foods may make up a complete snack for high cholesterol next.

Peanut Butter And Bananas

Peanut butter contains protein and healthy fats. These nutrients help keep the body energized for longer. These nutrients are supposed to be beneficial for cholesterol as well. However, peanut butter is an incomplete snack. This is because it lacks fiber. Thus, individuals need to add bananas to this snack. Bananas contain the fiber that they need to lower their cholesterol while still getting energy from a snack.

Unfortunately, many types of peanut butter are also very high in refined sugar. This can increase an individual’s cholesterol levels. Sugar can also cause energy crashes and increase cravings for unhealthy food. Thus, individuals are limited to natural peanut butter only. This is because natural peanut butter does not contain refined sugar. Due to this, it will not taste as sweet. Patients must therefore adjust.

Get the full details on what forgotten fruits can be healthy for individuals with high cholesterol next.

Handful Of Berries

When individuals are told that they need to eat more fruit, too many of them forget about berries. Raspberries, strawberries, blackberries, and blueberries are good sources of fiber. Most doctors will recommend consuming more fiber as a method of reducing cholesterol. Berries are also a natural source of sugar. Combined with fiber, this may provide patients with sustained energy. Unfortunately, even though the sugar in berries is natural, high cholesterol patients must be careful. Eating too many berries and, therefore, too much of the sugar they contain can compromise their efforts to lower their cholesterol levels.