Why should you be concerned about cholesterol?

Your body makes all the cholesterol you need. Eating foods high in saturated fat can raise your blood cholesterol levels. The higher your blood cholesterol, the greater your risk for heart disease. Too much cholesterol can lead to clogged arteries. You are then at risk for having a heart attack, stroke or poor circulation.

Cholesterol is found only in foods that come from animals. Foods very high in cholesterol include:

• Egg yolks
• Cheeses
• Whole milk
• Butter

There is no cholesterol in plant foods like fruits, vegetables and grains.

Limit your cholesterol

If you are healthy, you should average no more that 300 milligrams of cholesterol per day. People who have high blood cholesterol or a heart problem may have to eat less. The yolk of one large egg provides 214 milligrams of cholesterol. Aim for no more than four egg yolks each week. This includes egg yolks in baked good and processed foods. Egg whites contain no cholesterol.

Healthy shopping tips for the grocery store:

• Choose chicken breasts or drumsticks instead of wings or thighs
• Select skim milk or 1 percent instead of 2 percent or whole milk
• Buy lean cuts of meat such as round, sirloin or loin
• Buy more vegetables, fruits and grains
• Read nutrition labels on food packages for cholesterol levels

Source: National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute