High cholesterol levels are linked with cardiovascular problems, so if you have been diagnosed with high cholesterol, it is imperative to keep it in check through diet and medications. There are foods that help balance cholesterol, and adding these to your daily diet can make a difference. Eating more complex carbohydrates and less of saturated fats can help lower LDL levels.

Ten foods that help balance cholesterol

Fatty fish
Healthy fats like cold-water fish, avocado, olive oil, nuts, and seeds, are some foods that help balance cholesterol. Fats are saturated or unsaturated. Studies suggest that unsaturated variety can lower “bad” cholesterol levels by almost 11% in only two month’s time.

Vegetables
If you can eat almost four servings of veggies and fruits every day, you can significantly lower your cholesterol levels. These foods have antioxidants that stop the LDL from oxidizing and creating plaque that builds up and chokes the arteries.

Almonds
Nuts like almonds lower risks of heart problems because they can improve cholesterol levels.

Olive oil
Use this oil to saute vegetables and make salads. It is a good alternative to butter when you are using it as a dip or to cook meat.

Avocados
These are excellent sources of monounsaturated fats and proteins. Avocados should be a part of any heart-healthy diet because they can balance cholesterol levels in those who are obese. You can cut avocado slices to make salads or prepare guacamole dip.

Whey protein
This is found in dairy foods, and research shows that whey can reduce total cholesterol, LDL levels, and blood pressure levels.

Oats
Oats are one of the best-known foods for lowering cholesterol. It can make for a heart-healthy breakfast because it is rich in soluble fiber. Other whole grains like rye and barley can also lower the risks of heart problems because of their soluble fiber content.

Beans
Whether its kidney beans or garbanzo beans, lentils, or black-eyed peas, beans have soluble fibers and are extremely versatile foods since they take longer to get digested, your stomach stays full for a longer time.

Fruits
Citrus fruits, strawberries, and apples contain pectin, a kind of soluble fiber that is capable of lowering LDL levels.

Soy foods
Soybean and soy foods, such as soy milk and tofu, are known for cholesterol-lowering effects. Incidentally, if you can eat about 25 grams of soy proteins each day, you would be able to bring down bad cholesterol by nearly 6%.

Margarine/Orange juice
Foods fortified with stanols or sterols, which are obtained from plants, can reduce LDL cholesterol. So, if you can add a couple of grams of sterols every day to your diet, you can bring down cholesterol by almost 15%.

Parsnips
This root vegetable, like carrot, has fiber excellent for lowering cholesterol. Besides, it is rich in folate, potassium, and vitamin K and C. It is recommended that you cook parsnips. You can add this to soups and stews or roast it to enhance its natural sweetness.