Fibre helps to reduce total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol, by excreting cholesterol through faeces. Good sources of fibre include:

• Fruits
• Vegetables
• Wholegrains like brown rice
• Wholemeal bread and chapatti
• Oats and barley (rich sources of soluble fibre)

How much fibre to eat daily

In order to achieve sufficient fibre intake, it is recommended to consume:

• 2 servings of fruit
  (1 serving of fresh fruit is the size of your fist)
  
  
• 2 servings of vegetables
  (1 serving of cooked vegetables is the amount that fills ¾ cup)
  
  
• 2-3 servings of wholegrains
  Examples of 1 serving of wholegrains include:
• • ½ bowl of brown / red / unpolished rice
  • or ½ bowl of brown rice beehoon / whole-wheat spaghetti
  • or 2 slices of wholemeal / multigrain bread
  • or 2/3 bowl of raw oats
  • or 2 chapattis

“For easy remembering, the My Healthy Plate is a useful tool that helps you to plan your meals. Fill ¼ of your plate with wholegrains, ¼ of your plate with lean protein, and ½ of your plate with vegetables and fruit,” advises CGH dietitians.

Unsaturated fats (monounsaturated and polyunsaturated) when eaten as a replacement for saturated fats, can help to lower LDL-cholesterol.

Foods rich in unsaturated fats include:

• Nuts and seeds
• Avocado
• Healthier cooking oils like canola, sunflower, olive, corn, peanut, soybean, sesame
• Oily fishes like salmon, cod, saba, sardine, tuna and mackerel

“Oily fishes are rich in omega-3, a type of polyunsaturated fat, which has better potential to reduce LDL-cholesterol. Health Promotion Board (HPB) recommends consumption of fish, particularly oily fish, at least twice a week as part of a heart healthy diet. One serving of fish is equivalent to the size of a palm,” CGH dietitians add.

Saturated fat consumption leads to increased LDL-cholesterol (or “bad cholesterol”). If you already have high cholesterol, it is beneficial to reduce saturated fat intake, which mainly comes from:

• Animal fats (skin and fats of meat / poultry, lard, ghee, butter, full cream dairy products)
• Palm oil
• Cocoa butter
• Coconut oil and coconut milk

Consumption of trans fat also leads to both increased LDL-cholesterol and reduction of HDL-cholesterol (the “good” cholesterol). Thus, it is important to consume minimal trans fat in your diet. Foods high in trans fats include:

• Fried food
• Baked goods
• Also, look out for “partially hydrogenated vegetable oil” in the ingredients list of packaged goods as this indicates that the product contains added trans fats.
  Examples include french fries, potato chips, pastries and cookies.

“It may take a few weeks to months for a healthy diet to help with improving cholesterol, but when coupled with sufficient exercise, you will be able to see results sooner,” advises CGH dietitians.

Do remember that this is not a special diet regimen. A varied and well-balanced diet not only helps improve cholesterol, but is also beneficial for overall health and reducing risk of developing chronic diseases.

It is recommended for everyone to adopt such principles when planning your meals, as part of your everyday healthy lifestyle.

Read on the next page for cholesterol food tips when grocery shopping and eating out.

Ref: L20

Check out other articles on cholesterol:

Truth About 'Good' (HDL) and 'Bad' (LDL) Cholesterol

Slim But with High Cholesterol, Is It Possible?

Exercises to Lower Bad Cholesterol (and Increase the Good)

Can Plant Sterols Lower Bad Cholesterol?

Cholesterol Meds: Alternatives to Statins