The hypo cholesterol diet was developed for people suffering from diseases such as atherosclerosis, hypercholesterolemia, dyslipidemia, coronary heart disease, and other cardiovascular problems caused by excessive cholesterol in the blood. In addition, this diet successfully helps to lose weight.
What is cholesterol and its functions?
Cholesterol is the fat produced by the liver, which is necessary for the normal functioning of the body. Cholesterol is involved in the production of hormones, the treatment of fat-soluble vitamins A , E, D and K, is responsible for the permeability of cell membranes.
To determine the content of cholesterol in your blood, you need to pass a biochemical blood test. The cholesterol content is 3.6-4.9 mmol / l, the elevated level is 5-5.9 mmol / l, the high level is more than 6 mmol / l.
Doctors often call cholesterol a "slow killer." Its increased level is dangerous because of the risk of various dangerous diseases: angina pectoris, stroke, heart attack and other heart diseases. Lowering cholesterol helps a healthy lifestyle, which includes a hypo cholesterol diet, proper day regimen and exercise.
Principles of a hypo cholesterol diet
A standard hypocholesteric diet imposes restrictions on a number of foods. Forbidden are fatty meat and fish, sausages, semi-finished products, animal fats, coconut and palm oils, fatty dairy products (cheeses, condensed milk, sour cream, cream, ice cream), baked pastry, biscuits, confectionery, sugar, lemonades, mayonnaise, alcohol, fast food. Use of salt should be limited to 2 grams per day.
In the menu with hypocholesterolemic diet, more useful non-fatty foods should be included: chicken and turkey meat (without skin), veal, rabbit meat, vegetable oils (corn, sunflower, cotton, olive), low-fat dairy products (kefir, natural yogurt, low-fat cheeses and cottage cheese ), milk, cereals, eggs (1-2 per week). Fish of lean varieties should be eaten at least 2 times a week, but not in fried form. Soups better cook on vegetable broth. As often as possible, you need to eat fresh vegetables and fruits (without high sugar content), and from the drinks, dieticians recommend green tea, mineral water, juices.
Menu and recipes for the dishes of the hypocholesterol diet
An approximate menu for the day with a hypo cholesterol diet is as follows:
- breakfast: oatmeal with fruit, coffee;
- second breakfast: baking with whole grains, fresh juice;
- lunch: chicken breast with vegetables, green tea;
- Afternoon snack: skimmed yogurt, decoction of herbs;
- dinner: salad greens, cucumbers and tomato, seasoned with olive oil, rice;
- before going to bed - a glass of kefir.
Developing a menu of a hypocholesteric diet for a week, try to include in it more products that contribute to lowering cholesterol. These include products rich in vitamins E, C and Group B, omega-6 and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, nicotinic and folic acid . This is oatmeal,
When choosing recipes for a hypocholesteric diet, give preference to boiled, stewed or grilled dishes. As dressings for salad, use lemon juice, vegetable oil or unsweetened yogurt.
Contraindications to the hypocholesterol diet
The hypo cholesterol diet is fairly balanced and varied, helps to lower the cholesterol in the blood and lose weight. However, it should be excluded during pregnancy and lactation, cancer, childhood or adolescence.