What Foods Should I Avoid If I Have High Cholesterol?

If you have high cholesterol, you may have been told that you need to avoid eggs, meat, carbohydrates, or other specific foods. The truth is that cholesterol management is less about creating a long list of forbidden foods and more about understanding which nutrients have the biggest impact. One of the most important things to pay attention to is saturated fat, while also being mindful of large amounts of refined carbohydrates and added sugars.

Foods high in saturated fat can raise LDL (“bad”) cholesterol. These include fatty cuts of meat, processed meats, butter, cream, full-fat dairy products, and many fried or highly processed foods. You don't necessarily have to eliminate these foods completely. Instead, try having them less often or in smaller amounts and replace some of them with foods higher in unsaturated fats, such as olive oil, nuts, seeds, avocado, and fish.

Carbohydrates aren't automatically bad for cholesterol. However, eating a lot of refined starches and added sugars—such as sugary drinks, sweets, pastries, white bread, and other highly processed foods—can make it harder to maintain a heart-healthy eating pattern. Rather than cutting out carbohydrates entirely, consider choosing more fiber-rich sources such as oats, beans, lentils, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.

Managing high cholesterol doesn't mean you have to stop eating the foods you enjoy. The goal is to make your overall eating pattern more supportive of your heart by limiting excess saturated fat and highly refined carbohydrates while adding more fiber and healthy fats. A registered dietitian can help you make these changes without turning your diet into a long list of foods you're “not allowed” to eat.