Cholesterol Reduction Diet?

Following blood tests I have a cholesterol level of 6.2 and a
cholesterol/hgl ratio of 5.4 according to my doctor. Last time I had it
checked that would have been OK because the target was 6, he now says it
is 5 and likely to reduce to 4.5 in the future.

In view of my family history he has put me on Simvastatin but he also
suggested changing my diet. When I asked if he had a diet sheet he said
'no it's not necessary, if you like something then don't eat it'.

Has anybody here managed to reduce their cholesterol level by dieting? If
so any chance of a pointer to the diet?

Graham...

Look at the ingredients of all food that you buy, if it has any
hydrogenated vegetable oil in it put it back on the shelf.

jamps...

My level has gone down since I stopped eating the fat from meats and by
changing from butter to an Olive Oil substitute (Bertolli).

I ought to give up smoking as well, but that's an emotional issue rather
than a logical one, I'll have to work on it.

Aries...

I had a cholesterol test last week and it came back as 5.5 - doc said it
was normal !!

Jeff Gaines...

It's weird isn't it! If I drop my weight to the suggested 12 stone (I am
6'4" tall) I'll look like a broomstick :-)

Flyiñg Ñuñ 2°°7 +...

I shoud brush that thought/image aside Jeff. ;)

Aries...

It's the fat you can't see around your internal organs apparently that is
dangerous. Even think people can have lots of hidden fat!

Wrinklie One =?iso-8859-1?Q?=A9?=...

I started my course last night. First notable side effects, an increase
in wind :-) He made no mention of a diet.
I have to admit to some diffidence about the course, following a two
page report on an alternate view on the Cholesterol subject.
This particular expert questions the usefulness of statins for over 65's
who have not been subjected to any heart problems.

At least I have a Doctor who understands my reluctance to quit smoking.

jamps...

We'll work on it together!!

Jeff Gaines...

I'm an expert, I've done it dozens of times - once for 2 years but I lost
3 teeth because of the nicotine gum!

Smokey...

Have a look here Jeff

Foxy at w*rk...

Just cut down on fats Jeff and eat chicken and fish rather that red meat.

Jeff Gaines...

Yeah but it's the fat that tastes nice :-)

How do I cook chicken (probably chicken pieces)? Obviously frying is not
sensible but what about roasting or a slow cooker?

Aries...

Just roast a whole chicken without any extra fat and then remove the skin
before eating is one suggestion.

Also you could top a chicken breast with a slice of red onion, a slice of
lemon, and a bay leaf, wrap loosely in foil and bake in the oven, or pop
into one of those steamer bags and microwave it - delicious :D

Jeff Gaines...

Now that does sound nice:-)

I'll need to sort out my next Tesco order for the ingredients.

Is it OK to have chips with it :-)

Aries...

yes so long as you make them the healthy way. Slice potatoes into chip
shapes, par boil, pop onto a foil lined roasting tray, spray well with
spray lite or similar and roast in the oven on a high temperature until
crisp and brown :D

Organic Icecube...

I leave the skin on mine, so they're more like potato wedges. I also use
the one-cal spray (olive oil based one) and then dust them with dried
fennel. If you crisp them up well in a high oven they're really tasty.

Aries...

I leave the skin on mine too, and I also use the olive oil based spray,
haven't thought about dusting them with herbs tho - excellent suggestion,
thanks :)

Aries...

now I eat very low fat indeed, have an oaty brekkie and hardly ever eat
read meat these days but my level was 5.5 which I think is too high!

kat...

Same here, and I was told to try to reduce it by diet. Hard to do when you
already are pretty good. So it went up! I have to have another test soon,
but from what I have been reading it's a waste of time anyway, for women.

Aries...

I hardly ever eat cheese these days either, I don't smoke - never have
done, so have no idea why my cholesterol is not lower :(