Foods High in Cholesterol

Learn how to maintain good health while you still can enjoy your foods high in cholesterol

Foods High in Cholesterol

Which Foods to Take in Moderation

Cholesterol is a fat (lipid) that is found in the blood and is crucial for the functioning of the cell membranes as well as the production of hormones. It exists in the outer layer of all cells in the body. It is the main sterol that is synthesized by animals. Nonetheless, it can also be synthesized in fungi and plants in small amounts. The human body produces its own cholesterol. Hence, excessive consumption of foods high in cholesterol is no longer necessary. Doing so may only increase the risk of stroke and heart disease.

Eggs

Among the foods high in cholesterol are eggs. Egg yolks have one hundred and twenty-three milligrams per one hundred gram serving. So, if you eat an egg, you should limit your intake of other foods high in cholesterol. You should consider the recommended amount of cholesterol that your diet should have. Foods high in cholesterol may cause you to have high blood cholesterol levels. This is why you should also eat vegetables instead of just foods high in cholesterol.

Then again, if you really like eggs, you can avoid the additional cholesterol by removing the yolk and only eating the egg white. Egg whites do not have cholesterol. Also, you may use egg substitutes that are cholesterol-free. Conversely, if you want to try out a recipe that needs eggs, you should use an egg substitute or two egg whites instead of a whole egg. Remember that eating eggs, even with the egg yolks, is not unhealthy. It is the excessive consumption that makes it dangerous to the health. You can actually have a couple of eggs for breakfast regularly.

Caviar

Caviar, common bread spread in Eastern and Northern Europe, is also among the foods high in cholesterol. It is, in fact, full of cholesterol. One hundred grams of caviar provides five hundred and eighty-eight milligrams or 196% RDA per tablespoon. If you are watching your intake of salt and cholesterol, you should refrain from eating too much caviar along with other foods high in cholesterol. Nevertheless, caviar is a good source of omega-3 fatty acids as well as vitamins A and D. It is an ideal remedy for hangover due to its high acetylcholine content.

Fish Products, Seafood, Fish Oil

Fish products, seafood, and fish oil are foods high in cholesterol, as well. For instance, Atlantic sardines contain one hundred and forty-two milligrams of cholesterol per one hundred grams. So, one can of sardines already have one hundred and thirty-one milligrams or 44% RDA. Likewise, herring oil contains seven hundred and sixty-six milligrams of cholesterol per one hundred grams. A one hundred-gram serving of prawns or shrimp contains one hundred and ninety-five milligrams of cholesterol.

The amount of fatty tissues that fishes have varies. Salmon has a higher amount of fat per gram of tissue compared to other types of fish. Tuna, sardines, and mackerel also have high percentages of fat per gram. Cod, on the other hand, only has one gram of fat per one hundred grams; thus, making it quite deplete of fish oil health benefits.

Milk and Dairy Products

Milk and dairy products are also foods high in cholesterol. Cheeses, in particular, are foods high in cholesterol although they are good sources of protein and calcium. They are high in calories as well as saturated and total fat. This includes cream cheese, cheddar, gouda, fontina, gruyere, and Port de Salut. Of these foods high in cholesterol, Port de Salut has the most cholesterol. It contains one hundred and twenty-three milligrams of cholesterol per one hundred grams of serving.

Whole milk ricotta cheese contains one hundred and twenty-five milligrams of cholesterol in one cup. Commercially prepared cheesecakes have forty-four milligrams of cholesterol per slice. Munster, feta, and American processed cheese all have twenty-five to twenty-seven milligrams of cholesterol per ounce. If you want to have cheese, you should control your portions and choose certain types. Enjoy cheese as well as other foods high in cholesterol in moderation.

Just like cheese, butter is another one of the foods high in cholesterol. A hundred grams of butter already has two hundred and fifteen milligrams of cholesterol. So, in order for you to have a low-cholesterol diet, you should replace butter as well as margarine and trans fat with olive oil, plant sterol spreads, and canola oil. Foods high in cholesterol may still be taken once in a while, but it is still better to take healthier substitutes.