11/06/2025
Let’s Ask the Dietitian
Q: What’s the deal with high cholesterol? Is it the problem we used to think it was?
A: This is a great question. Your total cholesterol numbers are part of your overall risk for heart disease, but they aren’t necessarily as important as knowing your low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and triglyceride numbers.
LDL “bad” cholesterol: LDL carries cholesterol to your arteries. If your levels are too high and left without proper treatment, plaque can build up on the walls of your arteries, a condition known as atherosclerosis.
HDL “good” cholesterol: HDL works against LDL cholesterol by returning it to your liver for removal from your body, preventing cholesterol plaque from building up in your arteries.
Triglycerides: Your body converts calories it can’t use right away into triglycerides, which are stored in fat cells. If you regularly eat more calories than your body can use, your triglyceride levels may become too high, raising your risk of heart disease and stroke.
Genetics certainly play a role in cholesterol levels, but lifestyle factors such as exercising multiple times a week, avoiding smoking, and eating a balanced diet are important too. Specifically, foods containing soluble fiber and omega-3 fatty acids may help you manage your cholesterol, including:
fruits like apples, bananas, citrus, and berries
beans, including black, pinto, and kidney beans
oats and barley
legumes, like lentils and peas
avocados
fatty fish, like salmon, tuna, sardines, and mackerel
nuts and seeds like walnuts, flaxseed, and chia seeds
vegetable oils like canola and soybean
As for eggs, the research is mixed. Previously, people were told to avoid them because they contain dietary cholesterol. However, we now know that’s not as impactful on our cholesterol levels as we once thought. Two eggs a day is likely fine, especially if your diet is low in saturated fat, added sugar, and sodium and high in fiber.
But I would say that your diet recommendations depend on your numbers and what your doctor or registered dietitian says.
You know what to do 🥱😌