Cholesterol Lowering Foods: A Gourmet Meal Plan from Kardea Nutrition

The science is clear and convincing. Therapeutic nutrition ---integrating a number of nutrients that actively alter cholesterol production, absorption and composition--- can help achieve cholesterol lowering comparable to many of the widely prescribed medications.

What are these active nutrients? The list below is generally consistent with the recommendations of the US National Institutes of Health National Cholesterol Education Program.*
Kardea Nutrition is on a mission to provide cholesterol lowering foods and cholesterol lowering recipes that allow you to achieve these nutrients, each and every day. Here is a goumet lunch & dinner meal plan (good for a Summer Sunday) that is both heart healthy and inspired. It delivers:

2+g of natural plant sterols from foods and taken through the course of the day
30g of total fiber
7g of heart healthy soluble fiber
1g Omega-3 fatty acids (EPA/DHA)
Ony 150mg of dietary cholesterol

Less than 7% of calories from saturated fats

About 20% of calories from cholesterol-improving monounsaturted fats.

This cholesterol lowering menu simply needs a bit more of the right kind of soluble fiber to meet the recommendations of the National Cholesterol Education Program. Look to breakfast to achieve the NCEP recommendations. A good morning start would be an oat cereal and fruit. The minimum recommendations for soluble fiber will be met.

In my life, I shoot for the higher 20-25g recommendation for viscous soluble fiber. Each morning, I dissolve in juice a blend of a concentrated oat fiber, ground psyllium husk and a dispersable plant sterol--a new product from Kardea Nutrition. One tablespoon of this blend delivers about 7 grams of heart-healthy soluble fiber and another 500mg of plant sterols.

Remember-this is not simply a low cholesterol meal plan; it is a collection of cholesterol-lowering foods.

Luncheon

Mediterranean Salmon Salad
Chick Peas with Oregano
Roasted Asparagus
Whole Wheat Roll

Snack

Kardea Gourmet Nutrition Bar

Dinner 1st Course

Gazpacho: Quick, Bold & Delicious

2nd Course

Chicken Balsamic Reduction Barley Pilaf

Steamed Broccoli

Dessert

Kardea Gourmet Wellness Bar

Sorbet of Your Choosing Fresh Berries or Sliced Ripe Peaches.

*Niacin is addressed in the National Cholesterol Education Program but substantially in the context of high doses prescribed by a doctor. Click for information on niacin in intermediate doses