The human body needs cholesterol for various functions. The fat-like substance helps in hormone-building and cell formation. However, one should ensure that their cholesterol levels do not rise beyond a certain point. High cholesterol can clog the blood vessels. This can disrupt blood flow to the arteries. Most often, high cholesterol is an outcome of poor food choices. Eating processed foods regularly can cause considerable damage. Here are four high cholesterol foods to avoid.

Four foods to avoid to prevent bad cholesterol

Dairy products
Most people prefer to have full-fat dairy products. However, this can lead to excess cholesterol. Cheese, for example, contains high sodium content. Similarly, dairy products like butter can be high in cholesterol and saturated fats. Healthier alternatives are low or no-fat dairy options. Cheese can be had in limited quantities. It is also advisable to opt for skim milk instead of whole milk.

Sweets and desserts
The regular consumption of baked food items like cakes and cookies can harm your cardiovascular system. These are high cholesterol foods that should be avoided, as they contain excess sugar and saturated fats. Consumption of sweets can trigger lipid buildup in the system. This can increase a person’s risk of coronary artery diseases.

Thankfully, there are other alternatives to satisfy your sweet taste buds. The ideal solution is to eat homemade desserts and cut down on processed sugar as much as possible.

Fried foods
Foods like French fries must be avoided, since they contain high levels of saturated fat and cholesterol. This is due to the oil they are cooked in. Instead of fries, try having baked potatoes. You can also cook your fries with less amounts of virgin olive oil or avocado oil. These oils are known to be low in saturated fats.

Trans fats
With hydrogen as a main ingredient, hydrogenated oils have high levels of trans fat. This fat is dangerous for your heart and body as it causes cholesterol levels to shoot up. Reading the packaging label when choosing a cooking oil for daily use is important. Processed foods are comparatively higher in trans fats as it increases their shelf life. Food items like frozen pizza, non-dairy coffee creamer, or microwave popcorn should be avoided if you are looking to lower your cholesterol.

It is imperative to ensure your cholesterol levels are in check. A person should talk with their doctor and make changes in their daily meals to lower cholesterol.