Low Cholesterol Food Guide: Eat Healthy does not mean Eat Bland!!!!!

Okay, your blood cholesterol level is higher than what it should be and the doctor has put you on a strictly low cholesterol diet. You should be very disheartened, utterly disappointed, because you can now never enjoy 'fun-food' again. And the last sentence was a load of bull! Who says you can't enjoy your food if it doesn't have cholesterol! It's not the fat that gives you the taste! This is similar to the excuse most non-vegetarians give when they are advised to go vegetarian: "I don't know what to eat! Everything else is so bland and boring!" But the fact is that you can get the best of flavor and the best of health both. You just have to make an effort. And to make your job simpler we'll give you a few quick tips on what all you can mix and match to get a lip-smacking healthy treat.

A good low chol diet will ideally be made up of one or more of the following:

• Cut the fat - Instead of your normal full cream or whole milk and milk products, opt for low cholesterol versions of the same. They are easily available in most stores, and all you need to do is stop your shopping cart at a slightly different position
• Fibre Fibre everywhere! Fibrous foods are like ninjas that give cholesterol a good kick in the butt, and when you have ninjas for bodyguards, there is little you need to worry about! Ok, maybe I'm exaggerating a bit, but fibres are very good against cholesterol. Whole grain rice, wheat, bran and oatmeal have great flavor and are very healthy.
• Go Veg! - Well, why kill poor old animals for food when you have so many veggies to choose from, not to mention the fact that meats are high in cholesterol whereas veggies are low chol. You can choose any vegetables that you like and even use seasonings like garlic, paprika, pepper and so on to spice it up a little. Avoid butter though. If you have to use it, use the low cholesterol alternative.
• Oily Oily - Deep frying is a no no, but using oil isn't. Olive oil is great for health and even other heart-friendly oils available in the market are not a bad option. Do ask the doc once before you use them though.

Now if you still say that cholesterol free food tastes bland, you're just being plain lazy. Get out there and use your brain. Get creative and you'll realize that you end up eating food that's not only healthier, but tastier as well.