HomeAnswersDieticiancholesterolPlease suggest a diet to lower cholesterol.

Kindly advise a diet to lower cholesterol.

Share

The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.

Answered by

Swapan Banerjee

Medically reviewed by

iCliniq medical review team

Published At May 21, 2016
Reviewed AtJanuary 17, 2024

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

I am 26 years old. I just found out that I have high cholesterol. My doctors advised me to change my diet. But, they did not give any suggestions other than to avoid fast food and fatty food. My issue is that my diet option is already limited due to my food allergies (strawberries, melons and shellfish). Also I am suffering from Crohn's disease. Kindly help with my diet.

Answered by Swapan Banerjee

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

  1. First thing is that you should take medicines for high cholesterol and Crohn's disease. Also your BMI - body mass index is high which tends to obesity.
  2. Now your diet for two months under observation should be bland diet. A bland diet is a diet consisting of foods that are generally soft, low in dietary fiber, cooked rather than raw and not spicy.
  3. Fried and fatty foods, strong cheeses, whole grains (rich in fiber) and the medications Aspirin and Ibuprofen are also should be avoided while on this diet.
  4. Avoid all raw foods including raw vegetables. Also avoid fruits like apple, pear and guava. Add soft fruits like papaya, banana, litchi and similar. Please check if not allergy and can have similar types.
  5. So, better you make soft, well cooked or sometimes semi-cooked when needed as per foods and meal plans at home.
  6. No fiber rich foods like whole wheat grains, multi grains roti, etc., and semolina should be without oil or fried.
  7. Cooking oil must be PUFA (polyunsaturated fatty acids) like olive oil and sunflower or white oil. Should take only two teaspoons for a whole day or less.
  8. No trans-fats and saturated fats which are rich in all junk, fast, spicy, fatty and cream based foods. No outside or street food.
  9. Also for a few months do not add butter, ghee, margarine, cheese, paneer, coconut or other oils as mentioned already.
  10. Eat very less organic foods but more vegetables or plant based meals like vegan diet. Avoid egg, chicken, all sea foods and lean or red meat.
  11. More addition of soft green vegetables like bottle gourd, bitter gourd will help. Add less potato, cabbage, cauliflower, local greens or all greens. Too hard or rough skin vegetables should be avoided.
  12. Stop alcohol, also should not have soft drinks, coffee, cola products, soda water, etc. Better can have a cream cracker biscuit with a cup of green tea.
  13. With all meals take some green salad, vegetables stew or soup. You should add spices like hot spices, red chillies, cardamom, but only green chillies, some salt, raw turmeric, no hot masalas, very less oil, etc.
  14. Sometimes you can also have fruit salad in the afternoon or mid morning, mixed pulses and some soup with meals.
  15. Avoid sugar and rich sugar products as well as refined sugar.
  16. Avoid stress and try to get minimum 8 hours sleep daily.
  17. You must get a personalized well balanced diet plans by an expert dietician after physical evaluation for your weight and rest all complication as I covered most parts here. Although lot of things yet to add here and you can just initially start following all these.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Swapan Banerjee
Swapan Banerjee

Nutritionist

Community Banner Mobile
By subscribing, I agree to iCliniq's Terms & Privacy Policy.

Ask your health query to a Wellness Expert online

Dietician

*guaranteed answer within 4 hours

Disclaimer: No content published on this website is intended to be a substitute for professional medical diagnosis, advice or treatment by a trained physician. Seek advice from your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with questions you may have regarding your symptoms and medical condition for a complete medical diagnosis. Do not delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice because of something you have read on this website. Read our Editorial Process to know how we create content for health articles and queries.

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. iCliniq privacy policy