Which foods raise LDL cholesterol, and what are better substitutions?
Eating excess saturated and trans fats can raise LDL cholesterol. Saturated fats occur in butter, ghee, fatty meat and some tropical oils. Replacing them with unsaturated fats and fibre-rich foods helps within a plan based on lipid results and cardiovascular risk.
Details
Fats are not all the same
Focus on fat type and amount rather than eliminating all fat. Use appropriate portions of olive oil or other unsaturated vegetable oils instead of butter or ghee, and choose leaner meats. Read the label: low sugar does not automatically mean low saturated fat.
Practical substitutions
Replace some fatty-meat meals with pulses or fish, and include whole grains and vegetables. Unsalted nuts can be useful in suitable portions, but oils and nuts are energy-dense; adding them without adjusting the overall diet can make weight management harder.
Food is one part of treatment
Genetics and other cardiovascular risk factors also influence the response. Do not stop cholesterol medicine just because your diet improves, or expect one food to clear arteries. Discuss your personal target and the timing of repeat blood tests with your clinician.
Related reading: What is a Mediterranean-style diet, and how can I follow it?.