4 fatty foods that are good for cholesterol
Updated: Feb. 25, 2016
Not all fat is bad for you. These four types of fatty foods actually help lower your bad cholesterol levels and may even raise good cholesterol levels
Olive oil
Numerous studies have shown that olive oil not only lowers LDL but also raises HDL. One study found that people who ate about 2 tablespoons of olive oil a day had lower LDL levels in just one week. Use it in garlic bread, salad dressings, in place of margarine, and in place of other oils when sautéing.
Nuts
Enjoy nuts. They are packed with heart-healthy unsaturated fats, including omega-3s. Walnuts and almonds seem to be especially good at lowering LDL. Eat a shotglass-size serving a day and watch your numbers drop. But nuts contain a lot of calories, so make sure you eat them instead of-not in addition to-other snacks.
Avocado
Have an avocado a day and you might lower your LDL by as much as 17 percent. True, avocados are very high in fat, but it’s mainly the unsaturated kind.
Peanut butter
Eat peanut butter! That’s right, peanut butter. Yes, it’s high in calories, but most of the fat it contains is unsaturated. Buy a “natural” brand that contains no hydrogenated oils.
Related:
• 4 foods that boost good cholesterol
• Quiz: Are you at risk for high cholesterol?
• 9 ways to lower your risk of high cholesterol
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