There is a very simple yet profound quote that says, “Do not place all the eggs in one basket.” More often than not, we follow this principle when it comes to financial investments. After all, you would not want to risk your hard-earned money on a bad investment. However, if you were to take it a step further, the quote holds good for every single aspect of one’s life too! Take eating habits for example. Adding a variety of food, instead of one or one kind helps us to maintain good health. When it comes to cholesterol, this is very important as a dietary portfolio of cholesterol-lowering foods, would prevent any further damage to your system. Here is all you need to know about guilt-free snacks for high cholesterol.

Is it even good to snack?
Yes, it is. Several experts suggest that it is important that we snack as it boosts your metabolism, and for those who have cholesterol coupled with high blood sugar levels, it is imperative that they eat in small portions and more than five times so that their blood sugar levels are under control. What one should be careful about is not eating an unhealthy snack. For example, packaged food, salt-rich or oil rich-food are to be necessarily avoided. Even if you have to buy something off the shelf, look for snacks that are low in carbohydrates. Thankfully, many manufacturers have understood that the world is heading towards a healthier lifestyle and have come up with plenty of options to choose from. There are many guilt-free snacks for high cholesterol to choose from.

What are the refrigerator essentials when it comes to maintaining cholesterol levels?
Plant-based diet seems to have given a lot of positive effects in lowering cholesterol levels than a meat-based diet. It certainly keeps the triglycerides at bay. Your refrigerator should contain the following:

Fresh fruits and vegetables

It is imperative that you consume a minimum of six cups of fruits and vegetables a day. It can include the following:

• Apples
• Berries
• Broccoli
• Cauliflower
• Bell peppers
• Celery
• Any leafy green vegetables
• Eggplant
• Aubergine
• Grapes
• Tomatoes
• Kale
• Pears
• Zucchini

Dairy and their alternatives
Calcium is found in dairy products and if you are a woman, you certainly need your calcium supplement. All you have to do is avoid the cream and go for low-fat or 0% fat options. Some of them are:

• Buttermilk
• Cheese
• Ricotta cheese
• Cottage cheese
• Milk (skimmed)
• Sour cream
• Yogurt

Note that all the above should be either non-fat or low-fat. Other options like soy or almond milk are good alternatives but ensure that they are fortified with calcium. It is also important that you only buy unsweetened flavors should you choose the alternatives in the milk products. Anything with added sugar is a total no-no.

Meat, poultry, fish and other substitutes
The American Heart Association strongly recommends consuming fish twice a week or two servings of fish a week. Avoid or limit fatty cuts of meat.

Frozen foods
It is always recommended to make your food fresh. You could limit the use of frozen foods, say, for example, use them for nutritious desserts.

Snacking items
Stock your pantry with guilt-free snacks for high cholesterol:

• Nuts and seeds – assorted and raw
• Whole-grain bread, tortillas, and pitas
• Dried fruits
• Popcorn cakes
• Whole-grain pretzels
• Trans-free, baked tortilla chips