Cholesterol & Sodium Restricted Diet

A cholesterol- and sodium-restricted diet is like any other healthy, well-balanced diet in that it highlights eating a variety of heart-healthy foods that will help you lower your fat and cholesterol blood levels. It is as important to know what foods to eat or limit as it is to know how to prepare them in a healthy manner.

Foods to Eat

Eat heart-healthy foods low in salt and cholesterol and high in fiber and antioxidants. Fiber-rich foods include whole grains such as barley, oats and oat bran, brown rice, whole wheat and triticale; legumes including kidney beans and lentils; almonds, pistachios, walnuts and hazelnuts; flax seeds and sunflower seeds; plus fruits and vegetables. It is recommended you eat 10g of soluble fiber daily to decrease your "bad" (LDL) cholesterol.

Get your soluble fiber. Soluble fiber lowers your LDL ("bad") cholesterol, according to the USDA and the Mayo Clinic. Kidney beans, pears, prunes, psyllium, barley, oats and apples are most notably for high levels of soluble fiber. It is recommended you eat 10g of soluble fiber daily to decrease your "bad" (LDL) cholesterol.

Eat foods high in omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids also reduce your LDL level and contain many antioxidants. Salmon, herring, mackerel, lake trout, albacore tuna (canned in water), sardines, avocados, flax seeds, walnuts and avocados all contain notable amounts of omega-3 fatty acids. Take a fish oil supplement if you do not like fish. The USDA recommends eating two servings of fish weekly.

Enjoy oatmeal. One and a half cups of cooked oatmeal contain 6g of soluble fiber, according to the Mayo Clinic. Add fresh apple or banana for another 4g.

Use natural seasonings. Substitute a variety of fresh herbs and spices for your salt shaker. According to the American Heart Association, this will lower your blood pressure and chances for heart disease. Use a salt-free seasoning. Squeeze a fresh lemon or orange on your fish instead of salt.

Eat plant sterols. According to the American Dietetic Association, these can lower LDL while providing needed nutrients. Plant sterols occur naturally in soy foods, walnuts, avocados, vegetable oils, canola oil, whole grains, and fruits and vegetables.

Select unsalted nuts or seeds, dried beans, peas and lentils. Select unsalted varieties of canned foods. Aim to eat less than 2,300mg of salt per day. According to the American Heart Association, this amount will vary individually.

Foods to Avoid or Limit

Avoid foods high in salt. According to the USDA and the American Heart Association, these include numerous sodium preservatives, baking soda, baking powder, tamari, soy sauce, meat tenderizer, steak sauce, Worcestershire sauce and MSG.

Avoid, or limit, foods containing saturated and/or trans fats. These include red meat, whole-fat dairy foods, processed foods, baked goods, pickles, many canned foods and snack foods.

Meal Preparation

Use heart-healthy cooking methods. The Mayo Clinic, USDA and the American Heart Association recommend steaming, poaching, grilling and baking (without added oils). Using an unhealthy cooking method can raise your cholesterol.