A Dietitian will try to see you during your admission. If you don’t see a Dietitian and wish to please contact the Nursing Station where the patient is admitted.
CHOLESTEROL & TRIGLYCERIDES
WHAT IS A “SAFE” BLOOD CHOLESTEROL?
The Medical Council of India suggests that we should aim for a level of:
(For Diabetic / CAD Patients)
Cholesterol <200 mg/dl HDL Cholesterol > 40 mg/dl
LDL Cholesterol < 70 mg/dl WHAT IS A “SAFE” LEVEL OF TRIGLYCERIDES? The Medical Council of India suggests that we should aim for a level of < 150 mg/dl (For Diabetic / CAD Patients)
CAUSES OF HIGH CHOLESTEROL AND TRIGLYCERIDES
- Family history
- Over weight
- High saturated fat intake
- High sugar intake
- High cholesterol intake
- Inadequate dietary fibre
- Lack of exercise
- High alcohol intake
| Type of Dietary Fat | Effect of Dietary Fat on Blood Cholesterol | Food Sources |
| PolyunsaturatedOmega – 6Omega – 3 | Lower cholesterol | Mostly vegetable;
|
| Monounsaturated | Lower cholesterol |
|
| Saturated | Increased cholesterol | Mostly Animal:
Vegetable:
|
| Cholesterol | Only animal:
|
BREAD & CEREALS
|
CHOOSE |
EAT LESS |
| Chapattis made of Soyabean / Gram fortified wheat in a rati of 1:4Breads – wholemeal, wholegrain or white high fibre bread, pita bread, crumpets, muffins, raisin toast | Croissants |
| Biscuits – crisbreads, plain biscuits such as wheatmeal, rice cakes, 97% fat free crackers corn thins, rice snacks, rye vita, vita wheat | Sweet, cream or (choc coated) biscuits, cheese crackers, cakes |
| Cereals – high fibre varieties, e.g., All Bran, Porridge, Natural Unsweetened muesli, | Toasted and sweetened muesli, sweetened cereals such as Coco Pops, Honey Smacks, Nutrigrain |
| Rice, pasta, noodles (preferably wholemeal or brown) | Rice, pasta, noodles that are fried or with cream sauces, 2 min noodles |
| Psylium husk – helps to lower cholesterol |
FRUIT, VEGETABLES & LEGUMES
|
CHOOSE |
|
EAT LESS |
| Fruit – All fruits, fresh, dried or tinned in Natural Juice | ; | Fruit tinned in syrup and sweetened fruit juice or nectars, fruit drinks |
| Small amounts of fruit juice | ||
| Small amounts of olives, and nuts | ||
| Vegetables – All vegetables, fresh, frozen, tinned or cooked with no or minimal oil, e.g., potato oven fries, dry roasted veg | ; | Chips and other fried or roasted vegetable |
| Legumes: baked beans, refried beans chick peas, peas, soy beans, lentils, 4 bean mix |
MILK & DIARY PRODUCTS
|
CHOOSE |
EAT LESS |
| Milk products – Skim milk, buttermilk, low fat evaporated milk, soymilk, light coconut milk, coconut cream | Full cream milk – plain flavoured, milkshakes, full cream condensed milk |
| Low fat cheese e.g., Cottage, Kraft Free/Light/Extra Light | Hard cheeses, Cream cheese, |
| Low fat yoghurts, | Full fat yoghurts, cream. Sour cream |
MEATS, POULTRY & SEAFOOD
|
CHOOSE |
EAT LESS |
| Meat –lamb (all trimmed of fat)- Small amount of lean bacon and ham- Lean ham, roast meats | Offal meats – liver, brains, kidney, sweetbreads, heart- Bacon and ham fat- Sausages, salami, pepperoni, luncheon meats |
| Poultry – chicken, turkey (trimmed of fat and skin) | Chicken or turkey fat and skin, duck |
| Seafood – All fish including tinned, 2 – 3 serves per week | Fried, battered or crumbed fish and other seafood |
| Salmon, sardines, mackerel, tuna (fresh)- Scallops, mussels, crab, lobster, oyster- Small amounts of prawns and squid | Caviar |
| Eggs – egg whites | Egg yolks – limit to 2-3 per week |
FATS / OILS / SUGAR
|
CHOOSE |
EAT LESS |
| Fats / Oils – polyunsatutrated, Monounsaturated | Butter, ghee, cream |
| – Low joule dressings | – Mayonnaise (unless low oil) |
| Sugar – Low joule soft drinks, cordials | Cakes, biscuits, pastries, lollies, chocolates, desserts, ice cream, soft drinks, cordials |
| Kraft Free mayonnaise | |
| Alcohol (beer, wine, spirits), 2 / day Red wine has an added benefit preferably 30to 45 ml |
SUMMARY OF A HEALTHY HEART
- Choose polyunsaturated or monounsaturated fats but limit the amounts of all fat.
- Increase fiber intake i.e., Wholemeal or wholegrain breads and cereals, fruits and vegetables, legumes.
- Limit foods that are high in sugar.
- Limit foods that are high in salt.
- Limit alcohol.
- Maintain ideal weight.
- Increase exercise