The body needs some amount of cholesterol to function optimally. But when the bad cholesterol levels in the body increase, it can form plaque in the veins, increasing blood pressure and the risk of various heart diseases. In order to keep cholesterol levels in check, it is important to keep one’s self healthy. To help one do that, we have listed down some easy health tips.

1. Eat veggies and fruits
Adding plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables to your food can help reduce LDL. This is because they contain antioxidants that help prevent plaque from forming in the veins. This helps improve heart health, thus reducing one’s risk of developing heart diseases. Include lots of fruits and veggies like berries, pears, lemons, oranges, okra, and eggplant.

2. Eat Mediterranean-style food
Mediterranean foods include fruits, vegetables, olive oil, whole grains, herbs and spices, and fish. Most, if not all, of these foods, help reduce bad cholesterol. It also includes a little bit of alcohol; mostly red wine consumed in moderation. Sticking to Mediterranean food can decrease one’s risk of developing heart disease significantly.

3. Include soluble fibers
Soluble fibers are important for the heart because they help eliminate cholesterol from the bloodstream. This helps lower blood sugar and reduces cholesterol from the body by 10%. Fatty fish like salmon, trout, and tuna, vegetable oils like olive oil and avocado oil, and oats, barley, and blueberries are good sources of soluble fibers.

4. Reduce alcohol consumption
Not only does alcohol lead to weight gain, but it also raises one’s blood pressure and cholesterol levels. This, in turn, increases one’s risk of developing heart disease. A small amount of alcohol, approximately one to two glasses of alcohol every few days, is alright. But exceeding the limit can cause serious problems in the body.

5. Balance one’s cholesterol intake
Accompanying cholesterol-rich foods with healthy ones can help balance out the extra cholesterol in the body. For instance, one should eat a bowl of greens along with a fatty burger or fried chicken or a salad with a plate of fries. Also, one must eat fewer or no eggs when consuming fatty meat the same day.

6. Add soy to your diet
Soya-based products contain protein and a compound called isoflavones that help reduce bad cholesterol in the body, thus reducing one’s risk of developing heart disease. Consider consuming some form of un-processed soy products like soy milk or soybeans to reduce LDL significantly.

7. Say no to unhealthy snacks
Packaged foods like chips, cookies, and cakes contain high amounts of trans fat, sodium, and sugar. All these foods can significantly contribute to high LDL levels in the body. To prevent this from happening, one must completely cut off unhealthy foods and opt for healthier options like homemade baked potato chips and baked chicken sticks.