24 Easy and Healthy Food Recipes to Lower Cholesterol

Oats are one of the best foods for lowering cholesterol because they contain soluble fiber called beta-glucan. This type of fiber helps trap cholesterol in the digestive tract so your body can remove it before it enters the bloodstream. Starting your day with oats may help support healthier LDL cholesterol levels over time.

Instead of sugary instant oatmeal packets, choose plain oats and add natural sweetness from fruit or cinnamon, or try one of our healthy overnight oats recipes or these other delicious oat recipes:

• Fruity Oatmeal
• Oatmeal Breakfast Bars
• Oatmeal with Avocado and Egg Bowl

Beans, lentils, and chickpeas are packed with fiber and plant-based protein. Replacing some meat-based meals with legumes may help lower saturated fat intake while helping you stay full longer, which can help reduce cholesterol levels. These foods also work well in soups, salads, and grain bowls.

Here are some delicious Health eCooks recipes that make beans and lentils the star of the show:

• Dense Bean Salad
• Veggie Chickpea Sandwiches
• Green Lentil Soup

Or try one of our other healthy bean recipes to add more protein- and fiber-rich beans to your menu.

Salmon, trout, sardines, tuna, and mackerel contain omega-3 fatty acids that support heart health. Omega-3s may help lower triglycerides and support healthy blood vessels. Eating fish a couple times a week is a simple way to include more heart-friendly fats in your diet, especially when you include the types that are high in omega-3’s such as in these recipes:

• Grilled Salmon with Asparagus
• Mediterranean Salmon
• Garlic Lime Tuna Steaks

Or try one of these other deliciously healthy salmon recipes.

Almonds, walnuts, and pistachios contain healthy fats, fiber, and plant compounds that may help support lower LDL cholesterol levels. Nuts are calorie-dense, though, so a small handful is usually enough.

Try sprinkling nuts over oatmeal, yogurt, or salads for extra crunch and nutrition or enjoy nuts in one of these recipes:

• Berry Smoothie Bowl (with Pistachios)
• Almond Crusted Salmon
• Escarole Salad with Apples and Walnuts

Avocados provide monounsaturated fats and fiber, both of which may help support healthier cholesterol levels. They also make a creamy substitute for butter, mayo, and other spreads higher in saturated fat.

Here are some of our readers’ favorite recipes with avocado:

• Chicken Avocado Wrap
• Restaurant Style Guacamole
• Seven Layer Dip

Fruits like apples, berries, pears, and oranges contain fiber and antioxidants that support heart health. Many are naturally rich in pectin, a type of soluble fiber linked to lower cholesterol levels. Fruit can also help satisfy a sweet tooth without relying on heavily processed desserts.

You can’t go wrong by adding any of these naturally sweet fruit recipes to your meal and snack rotation:

• Drizzled Apple Snacks
• Berry Fruit Salad
• Baked Pears

Vegetables are naturally low in saturated fat and rich in fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants. Leafy greens, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and eggplant are especially good choices for heart health. Filling half your plate with vegetables is one of the easiest ways to improve your eating habits and our fresh and healthy vegetable recipes make it easy to do so.

These vibrant veggie recipes add color and flavor to any meal:

• Loaded Thai-Peanut Brussels Sprouts
• Garlic Roasted Broccoli
• Spinach Pizza

Olive oil is a major part of the Mediterranean diet, which has long been linked to better heart health. Swapping butter or shortening for olive oil may help improve cholesterol levels while adding flavor to meals.

Use olive oil for roasting vegetables, making homemade dressings, or cooking lean proteins, like we’ve done in these heart-healthy recipes:

• Roasted Vegetables
• Low Sodium Rosemary Lemon Chicken
• Maple Dijon Dressing