Cholesterol is a fatty substance. It is naturally produced by your liver and is present in the blood. It is utilized for multiple activities in the body. However, problems can arise when there is excess cholesterol in the blood. Some foods have cholesterol in them. This is known as dietary cholesterol. Consuming foods rich in dietary cholesterol will have a minimal impact on blood cholesterol. Listed below are some foods to avoid for lowering cholesterol.

1. Desserts
Cakes, cookies, pastries, ice creams, and other desserts and sweets are very unhealthy. They have a high cholesterol level. Further, they contain unnecessary calories, unhealthy fats, and added sugars.

Regularly consuming these foods can negatively trigger your overall health and result in weight gain over time. There are studies that associate sugar intake with diabetes, obesity, cognitive decline, heart disease, and some cancers. Moreover, these foods barely have the requisite nutrients, which your body requires to thrive, such as proteins, vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats.

2. Salt
Consuming a lot of salt (sodium) in your diet can increase your body’s blood pressure levels. It also includes those salty snack foods and canned soups. There is also a high degree of sodium in rolls and bread, cured and cold cut meats, chicken, pizza, and the sandwiches you get at a restaurant. Frozen foods, too, have a high degree of sodium in them. So, whenever you shop for anything, read through the packaging labels. Do not consume anything with over 2300 to 2400 mg sodium per day.

3. Saturated fats
Saturated fats are mainly solid at room temperature. These are found in animal products, such as cheese, butter, and meat. There are several different kinds of saturated fats present in the food, and they may have a grave impact on triglyceride and cholesterol levels. Saturated fats are present in dairy products and red meats and increase both good and bad levels of cholesterol. On the other hand, saturated fats in cocoa butter and beef are not highly dangerous, but they do spike the HDL and LDL levels by a small percentage.

4. Microwave popcorn
These are full of salt and butter and tend to spike your LDL levels. However, if you like popcorn, you can opt for a fat-free version with little to no salt.

5. Fast food
Fast food can also elevate your risks of several chronic diseases, such as obesity, diabetes, and heart diseases. People who consume fast food frequently have a relatively higher cholesterol level. Fast food also leads to higher inflammation levels and disrupts blood sugar levels. The solution to this is consuming less processed food and preparing your meals at home. It can reduce body fat, and lower your risk of developing LDL cholesterol.