Dear Devin
I have been on Wt Wtchrs 4 months. Losing weight and blood glucose is down but my doc says the HC meals are raising my cholesterol too much. U have any suggestions for diet foods that will keep cholesterol down?
Thanks and hope u feel better.
Jeff
Hi Jeff,
This is a GREAT question! First, I often say that my books (even the one titled, “The Most Decadent Diet Ever!”) are GREAT for non-dieters as well as those looking to drop a few because I make sure the recipes are all low in saturated fat, cholesterol, have zero trans fat, etc. I throw around “low-fat” and “lower-calorie” a lot because that’s what it seems the majority of folks are most concerned with. But my overall goal is always to create the most true-to-flavor, yet healthier versions of traditional favorites. So all of my books and the recipes from my shows are good for anyone looking to lose some weight at a healthy pace, maintain weight, lower-cholesterol, improve artery function (for “The Biggest Loser Family Cookbook” I was required to create recipes with no more than 3 g of saturated fat per serving), etc.
When it comes to packaged meals, it’s always best to read all labels. The recommended daily allowance of cholesterol is 300 mg for adults based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Granted, there are many factors that adjust this person to person, but that is a general guideline. For more specific info., you can go to www.mypyramid.gov or talk to your doctor.
Always remember: lower calorie, does not necessarily mean lower-cholesterol. There are an enormous amount of 100 calorie packs, available on shelves, many of which are extremely calorie dense (though, at least in theory, you only eat a tiny portion), extremely high in cholesterol, extremely high in saturated fat, etc. Those packages are designed solely to help control portion sizes (granted, there are some 100 calories packs that do contain very healthful ingredients only—a 100 calorie pack of dry roasted pistachios is a good thing, for example). When choosing among frozen nutritional meals, you should also be reading labels. I know that Smart Ones has an amazing Thai Chicken with Rice noodles with only 25 mg of cholesterol and an Orange Sesame Chicken dish that I love with only 20 mg. I did a quick search online to find a restaurant version of Sesame Chicken and that had 75 mg (for about the same sized serving) and another frozen nutritional brand’s had 35 mg. So Smart Ones seems like a good option (please note that I am their spokes chef. This is due to the fact that I truly love their products and share their “healthy comfort food philosophy”—we agreed to partner instantly when we met, realizing that we even had similar titles for many of our dishes, which was pure coincidence). Whether you choose Smart Ones or you head to your local natural food store, you should compare all labels, never assuming that lower-fat means lower cholesterol.
I also know that there is such thing as “good” cholesterol and “bad” cholesterol. I know that people trying to lower their cholesterol are often advised to eat certain nuts (though they are high in fat), as they help lower cholesterol, as does oatmeal. These specifics are great to discuss with your doctor. I know that most of my followers know this, but as a reminder, I am not a doctor or any sort of medical professional. I have maintained a 55 pound weight loss for close to 20 years and am obsessed (in a positive way) with food. I am a trained chef and “weight loss success story”. So my advice should never replace that of your doctor’s. My goal is simply to be here for you (through my newsletter, blog, books, tv, etc.) when your doctor tells you to what to eat—then I can share my expertise as to how to help you actually ENJOY eating more healthful, better-for-you foods!
Happy Cooking (& Eating)!
Devin