If you think that the only foods that raise cholesterol are pastries, processed meat, fast food, you are wrong. Some foods that we often eat in daily life and that have great health benefits can also cause cholesterol levels to rise. Nutritionist Rob Hobson shared that healthy foods can also quietly raise your high cholesterol.
FOODS THAT RISE CHOLESTEROL
COCONUT OIL
Labeled as a healthier fat alternative that doesn’t compromise on flavor, coconut oil contains as much as 10 grams of saturated fat in one tablespoon. Hobson said: “Coconut oil has been shown to raise good and bad cholesterol levels more than other plant-based oils such as olive or canola.
“The best fat for your health is olive oil – many studies have linked olive oil to good heart health – and it actively lowers LDL (bad) cholesterol and raises HDL (good) cholesterol.”
About 140 grams of shrimp contain 210 mg of cholesterol, while a large egg contains about 240 mg of cholesterol. Hobson said: “Most people don’t need to reduce cholesterol, which is naturally found in foods like shrimp and eggs. However, for some individuals, such as those with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH), high cholesterol, or a high risk of cardiovascular disease, it is recommended that cholesterol levels from food do not exceed 300 mg per day (200 mg in humans).
According to experts, eggs should be limited to three or four per week and shrimp should be consumed once or twice a week.
GRANOLA AND HEALTHY BARS
Often labeled as a healthy breakfast alternative or snack, granola and healthy bars can contain very high amounts of sugar, depending on the exact brand. Hobson said: “It may not say sugar in the ingredient list, but sugar can come in one of many other guises, such as honey or fruit syrup. When you eat too much sugar, your liver produces more LDL (bad) cholesterol and lowers the amount of HDL (good) cholesterol. The extra sugar that comes from the sugar you eat,” said Hobson. The calories also cause an increase in triglycerides, which are blood fats that play a role in your cholesterol health.