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Cholesterol: How Much Should I Eat Daily?
Posted on Nov 24th 2009 3:15PM by Deborah DunhamCholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance found in your bloodstream and your body's cells. A certain level of cholesterol is good and healthy because it is used to form cell membranes and some hormones. However, high levels of cholesterol can be unhealthy and contribute to coronary heart disease, heart attack and stroke.
People get cholesterol from two sources: the body and food. Your liver usually produces enough cholesterol on its own -- about 1,000 mg per day, which means you don't need to consume additional amounts.
Most people, however, consume additional cholesterol. Certain foods from animals, like egg yolks, meat, poultry, shellfish and whole milk and dairy products have high amounts of cholesterol. Foods from plants, like nuts, fruits, vegetables and whole grains do not have cholesterol and are recommended for those looking to lower their cholesterol levels.
The American Heart Association and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) advise limiting how much cholesterol you eat to 300 mg per day.
If you have heart disease, the limit of cholesterol per day should be 200 mg. Reducing your consumption of fatty animal products and foods containing saturated fat and trans fat will help. Be wary when purchasing food because a manufacturer can claim their food is "low cholesterol" if it contains 20 mg or less, so it's best to read all labels and eat fresh, whole foods as much as possible.
For more heart-healthy tips, test your cholesterol IQ.
People get cholesterol from two sources: the body and food. Your liver usually produces enough cholesterol on its own -- about 1,000 mg per day, which means you don't need to consume additional amounts.
Most people, however, consume additional cholesterol. Certain foods from animals, like egg yolks, meat, poultry, shellfish and whole milk and dairy products have high amounts of cholesterol. Foods from plants, like nuts, fruits, vegetables and whole grains do not have cholesterol and are recommended for those looking to lower their cholesterol levels.
The American Heart Association and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) advise limiting how much cholesterol you eat to 300 mg per day.
If you have heart disease, the limit of cholesterol per day should be 200 mg. Reducing your consumption of fatty animal products and foods containing saturated fat and trans fat will help. Be wary when purchasing food because a manufacturer can claim their food is "low cholesterol" if it contains 20 mg or less, so it's best to read all labels and eat fresh, whole foods as much as possible.
For more heart-healthy tips, test your cholesterol IQ.
