Finding cholesterol-free diet foods that fit your lifestyle is tough but not impossible. To maintain a healthy cholesterol level, you must take every bite of food into consideration; simply looking for a "cholesterol free" or "trans fat free" label in the grocery store won't cut it. According to MedTV, to follow a low-cholesterol diet, you have to choose plant-based foods rather than those derived from animals, since cholesterol is only found in the latter type of food. However, it's important to remember that a healthy diet should include small amounts of cholesterol found in things like low-fat dairy and lean meats.
Meat Substitutes
Beans, legumes and vegetables are a good way to feel full and replace high-cholesterol meat products. These are full of protein to keep you feeling full and will give you energy. Tofu, another cholesterol-free food, is a great meat alternative. Another way to a maintain a low-cholesterol lifestyle is to eat casseroles with vegetables instead of pasta (veggie lasagna) or substitute a hamburger for a meaty portobello mushroom top.
Vegetables
Veggies are a no-cholesterol food. Add herbs to your vegetables, like rosemary or basil, to make them even tastier. You can even bake with vegetables. According to the American Heart Association, zucchini can be used to replace oil in brownie recipes. Try to incorporate as many vegetables into meals or snacks as you can--they are a great no-cholesterol food that have many other benefits. Vegetables may seem like a no-brainer, but dieters beware. Closely examine how your vegetables are cooked -- many times, at restaurants, they are doused in butter.
Fruits
Fruits are also cholesterol-free. Mix it up by buying different, exotic fruits while they're in season. Fruits and veggies have lots of dietary fiber, and that helps lower cholesterol, according to the American Heart Association. Fruit purees can also be used as substitutes in recipes. Applesauce in muffins or oatmeal cookies and bananas in bread are replacements for cholesterol-laden oils. Raw fruits are a great replacement for high-fat snacks and some fruits, like apples, are high in fiber, which keeps you full.
Whole Grains
Whole grains are a staple to any diet and can be incorporated into any meal. Instead of buying white bread, buy whole wheat--these alternatives have no dietary cholesterol. Instead of white pasta, opt for whole grain. White rice can also be replaced with brown. Nowadays, many cereals and snacks are also available in whole grain options. By replacing "white" with "wheat" you can keep yourself fuller and feel good about choosing the lower-cholesterol alternative. Beware of bakery items, like muffins and donuts. Although they may be labeled as "whole wheat," they are full of cholesterol due to their ingredients.
Eggs
Eggs are full of protein and are great at breakfast or for a snack. However, the yolks are high in cholesterol and full of calories. This is where preparation plays a role--egg whites are a cholesterol-free snack, according to the Mayo Clinic. Hard boil eggs and remove the yolks for a low-fat, high protein snack. Crack eggs and remove the yolk when scrambling for breakfast. Add vegetables and a piece of whole wheat toast, and you've got yourself a cholesterol-free start to the day.
If a recipe calls for eggs, use the egg whites instead. Many recipes come out tasting just as delicious without the yolk. Remember: one whole egg equals two egg whites.
Tags: American Heart, American Heart Association, eggs remove, full protein, Heart Association, no-cholesterol food