USF-COM
Department
of Family Medicine
Patient Education Information on...
Index of
Patient Education Topics
Why do I need a low fat/cholesterol diet?
A diet high in fat and cholesterol can lead to heart disease.
Heart disease is the leading killer of men and women in America.
In one year, heart disease kills more than 500,000 women and 450,000 men.
Return
to top of page
Who needs a low fat/low cholesterol diet?
Everyone can benefit from a diet low in fat and cholesterol.
Hardening of arteries starts when we’re very young and continues through
life. So, a diet low in fat/cholesterol can help slow this.
Return
to top of page
How does this low fat/cholesterol diet work?
Reducing the intake of fats and cholesterol will lower your blood cholesterol
level. This will reduce your chance of heart attack and stroke as
well as reducing obesity and diabetes.
Return
to top of page
How do I know if my blood cholesterol is high?
Getting your blood tested at your doctor’s office will tell you if your
cholesterol is high.
Return
to top of page
What is a low fat/cholesterol diet?
-
Limit your intake to 300 mg. of cholesterol in one day.
A 4 ounce serving of beef has 100 mg of cholesterol.
-
Also, do not eat more than 30% of your calories as fat.
Return
to top of page
How do I change to a low fat/cholesterol diet?
-
Limit meats, dairy, snacks, oils, and nuts.
-
Switch to low/no fat products, there are more than 5,000 products
on the market now.
-
Eat instead: fruits, veggies, breads, cereals.
-
Eat more frequent smaller meals.
-
Count the number of fat grams and estimate the percentage of calories from
fat.
-
Get good low fat recipes. If it tastes good, you are more inclined
to keep eating well.
-
Limit eating out, especially fast food.
-
Ask for your doctor’s help in eating healthier.
Return
to top of page
Are there any bad things about a low fat diet?
-
This diet may limit vitamin and minerals. Be sure to take a vitamin/mineral
supplement tablet.
-
This diet may lower your "good cholesterol". Exercise can raise your "good
cholesterol". Be sure to monitor your cholesterol with your doctor.
Return
to top of page
How do I learn more about low fat/cholesterol
diets?