Will foods high in cholesterol give me high cholesterol?

If your cholesterol levels are normal, will eating foods high in cholesterol affect you?

It's actually a diet high in saturated fats that, over time, increases your blood cholesterol. If you have normal cholesterol levels, consuming foods which contain cholesterol is unlikely to have any impact on your blood cholesterol levels.

If you already have high blood cholesterol, your body may not process cholesterol from food in the same way, so in this case it is advised that you limit your intake. To reduce your cholesterol level, try to reduce the saturated fats in your diet.

Saturated fats are found in meat, poultry, butter, milk and other dairy products. So we're advised to consume trim meats and low-fat dairy products. Coconut and palm oils also contain saturated fats, as do deep-fried and baked products, like pies, pastries, biscuits and crackers.

Cholesterol from our diet is found in animal products. Foods particularly high in cholesterol are eggs, liver, kidney and some seafood, eg. prawns, squid, lobster and crab.

The bottom line: Myth

People with normal cholesterol levels can include an egg and seafood in their diet each day (but don't fry the eggs in butter or deep-fry the seafood!). For people with higher cholesterol levels, eggs and seafood high in cholesterol can be eaten several times a week. If you need to reduce your cholesterol level, concentrate on limiting your intake of saturated and trans fats.