French fries that contain trans fats are unhealthy and may raise cholesterol.
A diet heavy in saturated and trans fats may contribute to heart disease and heart attacks by raising LDL (bad) cholesterol levels. Saturated fats found in food and drinks derived from animal sources, such as high fat dairy products and fatty meats should be limited. Trans fats are also harmful to the body and may be found in animal products, tropical oils and hydrogenated vegetable oils.
Fatty Dairy Products
Fatty dairy products such as ice-cream, cheese, cream, whole milk, real whipped cream and butter are high in saturated fats and may raise LDL cholesterol levels. Skim or one percent dairy products are better consumed than whole milk when monitoring cholesterol levels. Anything labelled "creamed" such as in soups, may appear healthy but might be laden with heavy cream and saturated fat.
Milk shakes made with fatty ice-cream and whole milk may also raise bad cholesterol levels. Butter is delicious, which makes it hard to eliminate completely from a diet. However, it should be consumed in moderation and might be better replaced with a non-saturated, trans fat free margarine.
Fatty and Processed Meats
Marbling and fat may give steaks great flavor. However, these high fat meats contain saturated fats, which may raise bad cholesterol levels. Fatty roasts and ribs that come from beef or pork often contain high amounts of fat and can raise cholesterol levels significantly when accompanied by fatty side dishes.
Processed meats may also contain high amounts of saturated fats especially when it is made from a combination of animal parts such as fatty organ meats and pure lard.
Cakes, Pastries and Fried Foods
Cakes, pastries and cookies are high cholesterol foods that should be avoided when monitoring cholesterol levels. Many baked goods are loaded with butter and cream containing saturated fats.
Fried snacks such as doughnuts, chips and french fries contain trans fats. Trans fats are extremely unhealthy and should be avoided or limited. Be wary of labels that read "trans fat-free." In the U.S. labels may read trans fat-free if they contain less than half a gram of trans fat per serving, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Speaking with a doctor is an excellent way to find out which foods lower cholesterol levels. Cholesterol is necessary for a body however; when levels become too high problems may arise.
Sugar
Adults and adolescents are consuming high amounts of sugar in their daily diet through foods and beverages. According to a first-of-it-kind study reported in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association, adolescents are eating 20 percent of their daily calories in sugar, which has been found to raise cholesterol levels and increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.
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