low cholesterol healthy recipes. Indian low cholesterol recipes. Over the past couple of decades there has been a growing concern about fats, high blood cholesterol levels and the diseases caused by it. We receive huge number of letters, e-mails from our members asking one common question, ‘Has cholesterol got anything to do with heart disease - or any other disease? And even if it has, will a change of diet be beneficial?
While some cholesterol is needed for good health, too much cholesterol in our blood can raise our risk of having a heart attack. Anyone can develop high blood cholesterol regardless of age or sex; there are some who can be genetically predisposed to high blood cholesterol. Thus it is important to keep a check on your cholesterol levels. As always said “Earlier the Better”, taking early precautions like avoiding saturated fats and cholesterol rich foods, eating high fiber foods and exercising can help regulate your blood cholesterol levels.
This section of “Low Cholesterol Recipes” is for all those who want to start early and also for those who are already on a low cholesterol diet as they have high blood cholesterol levels or any other heart problem. Delicious recipes are planned by strictly avoiding the use of fatty foods like fried foods, processed foods that increase blood cholesterol and sodium levels.
Foods to Lowers Blood Cholesterol |
Form | Its Effect |
---|---|---|
Garlic | Fresh, raw whole/ crushed | Lowers cholesterol levels, help to remove the excess cholesterol deposited in the arteries and inhibits cholesterol synthesis. |
Quinoa | whole flour | High fiber in it helps to reduce cholesterol levels. |
Onion | Raw and cooked | Rich in potent antioxidants. like ‘Quercetin’ and ‘Selenium’, An onion a day can raise HDL levels too. |
Fenugreek seeds (methi) | Seeds, sprouts, leaves, powder | Rich in protein and fibre, which binds cholesterol in the body and aids in its elimination. |
Bulgur Wheat (dalia)/Bran | Mixed with other flours | Bulgur wheat and bran are rich in fibre, which binds cholesterol and elimination it from our body. |
Oats | Quick Rolled oats or oat flakes | Contains soluble fibre viz. ‘Beta-glucan’, a potent cholesterol-lowering agent. Oat bran lowers LDL and raises HDL. |
Buckwheat/ Ragi/Nachni (red millet) |
Whole, coarsely ground or powdered | Plant chemicals present in buckwheat help maintain blood flow, and keep platelets from clotting excessively. Ragi is rich in fibre that eliminates LDS from body. |
Green Leafy Vegetables; Spinach, Kale, Fenugreek leaves, Cauliflower greens, Cabbage, lettuce, Colocassia leaves, Mint leaves, Rocket leaves, Coriander and Apple,guava, grapes, Oranges, Grapefruit Sweet lime |
Raw or cooked
|
Rich in fibre and antioxidants like Vitamin A and Vitamin C, that protects arteries from damage. Fresh vegetables and fruits are also low in calories and rich in fibre (especially green peas and cluster beans) |
Turmeric |
Fresh or dried (powder, spice) |
Fights free radicals, aids circulation, lowers cholesterol levels, improves blood vessel health, inhibits clogging |
Olive oil / Rice Bran Oil | Cooking medium or as a dressing | Rich in vitamin E (antioxidant), MUFA and substance called “squalene” that helps to lower blood cholesterol levels. |
Nuts like Almonds and Walnuts |
whole or powdered | Rich in mono unsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), and omega-3 fatty acids respectively. A store house of antioxidants, fibre and phytonutrients that helps lower LDL levels while maintaining HDL levels. |
Avocados | raw or cooked | Rich in MUFA, potassium and chromium, all of which help to regulate blood cholesterol levels. |
Low Cholesterol breakfast recipes opt for the easy and fast buckwheat dosa or Broken Wheat Upma with a glass of healthy carrot and spinach juice.
For Low Cholesterol snack recipes, sprouts are a healthy addition. They are easy to digest and the process of sprouting increases their fiber content too. Methi and Moong Sprouts Wrap, Lehsuni Matki Palak Tikki and Sprouted Moong Chaat.
Skip rice which is full of simple carbohydrates and make Whole Moong and Green Pea Khichdi had with a bowl of low fat urds for dinner. Make some healthy low cholesterol subzis like French beans and chana dal stir fry had with a bajra roti and some fatless maa ki dal.
While foods that help to reduce cholesterol like oats, whole cereals, fruits, veggies, sprouts, olive oil, flax seeds etc have been included to aid in blood cholesterol management.
Happy and healthy cooking for your heart!
Enjoy our low cholesterol healthy recipes. Indian low cholesterol recipes and other low cholesterol articles below.
Low Cholesterol Drinks, Beverages
Low Cholesterol Rice, Pulao & Biryani
Low Cholesterol Rotis, Parathas
Low Cholesterol Salads, Raitas
Low Cholesterol Healthy Breakfast Recipes, Indian Low Cholesterol Breakfast Recipes | breakfast recipes to reduce cholesterol | Breakfast as we all know is definitely the first and quite important meal of the day.
It is quite often made unhealthy by the addition of processed foods like white bread, butter, cheese, refined semolina etc. These are either refined, so devoid of fiber, or are rich in trans fats. Both of these are not cholesterol friendly and hence better avoided.
Healthy additions for morning meal as a low cholesterol option would be whole grains, oats, sprouts, low fat curds, fresh fruits and egg whites.
There is the option for Thalipeeth which is made from 3 healthy flours and mixed vegetables or Mahrashtrain Pilta which are healthy and can be eaten with a bowl of low fat curds and Jowar Bhakri or whole wheat bhakri.
There is the famous Zunka recipe which is a dry version of pitla and made of besan which is cholesterol friendly.
Dosas for Low Cholesterol Indian breakfast
We all love dosas in India and its a staple breakfast, snack or dinner. However, the traditional dosa is made from rice and urad dal and hence not very healthy as rice is a simple carbohydrate. Opt for the easy and fast buckwheat dosa made from buckwheat which is high in fibre, diabetic friendly and good food for pregnant women.
Oats is rich in soluble fibre, which helps lower blood LDL cholesterol, the so-called "Bad" cholesterol.
Soluble fibre absorbs water and swells and to become gel like substance which helps in the absorption of nutrients like B Vitamins and minerals like Magnesium and Zinc which are key to a good heart.
So enjoy the super heathy oats mutter dosa recipe. There are also the 4 flour dosa and moong dal dosa to enjoy.
Juices for Low Cholesterol Breakfast
We have a good selection of juices without the usage of sugar and full fat curds.
Carrots relieve constipation, lower blood pressure, have fibre and lower cholesterol. So have carrot and red pepper juice.
Upma for Low Cholesterol Breakfast
You can drop the traditional rava upma and replace it with Broken Wheat Upma, oats upma or quinoa upma which are all high in fiber and healthy for you.
This section explains in brief the way to use these ingredients to make a hearty low cholesterol breakfast. Oats Spinach Pancake, Vegetable Oats Pancake, Sprouts Dhokla, Jowar and Vegetable Porridge and Parsley Yogurt Spread are a few other healthy choices for those looking to keep a check on their blood cholesterol levels.
Apart from being healthy, these innovative recipes are really tongue tickling to be enjoyed as first meal of the day.
Just a wee bit of modifications in the choice of ingredients can bring your favourite dish on the table - the low cholesterol way.
Enjoy our Low Cholesterol Healthy Breakfast Recipes, Indian Low Cholesterol Breakfast Recipes and other low cholesterol articles below.
Low Cholesterol Drinks, Beverages
Low Cholesterol Rice, Pulao & Biryani
Low Cholesterol Rotis, Parathas
Low Cholesterol Salads, Raitas
See how to to reduce your cholesterol by following the best drinks to beat cholesterol. See our collection of Indian drinks, juices and shakes to lower cholesterol.
Fruits and Vegetables abound in fiber which helps to bind the bad cholesterol (LDL) thus decreasing their levels in our body. Here’s a sneak way to add them to your diet.
3 important ways to lower cholesterol while making drinks
1. Limit the intake of caffeinated beverages like tea, coffee and colas, processed juices and alcoholic beverages, which are full of empty calories and add no nutrients to the body.
2. Makes drinks, juices and smoothies in a mixer which retain the fibre. Don't discard the fibre so use a high quality mixer.
3. Avoid using sugar in any of your drinks, juices and smoothies.
Try and always blend your juices in a mixer as we want to retain the fibre to gain antioxidants, which in turn have a helping hand in maintaining the lining of the arteries.
Watermelon is great to use in drinks to lower cholesterol.
watermelon and coconut water drink recipe | heart friendly and lower blood pressure drink | Watermelon is a cooling fruit, which is made even better by the addition of coconut water, which is effective in balancing the stomach acids.
ginger melon juice recipe | watermelon lemon ginger juice | healthy ginger melon juice is an eye-appealing drink with many benefits to reap.Watermelon, a vital fruit loaded with iron and is also an effective diuretic. It also abounds in vitamin Cwhich acts as an immune boosting vitamin. Besides having the goodness of watermelon, this vitality healthy ginger melon juice also contains the miraculous power of 'gingerol', a substance present in ginger that dilates blood vessels and improves blood circulation.
Beetroot is great to use in drinks to lower cholesterol.
Beat LDL Cholesterol with Nitrate Rich Beet: The Nitrates present in beet aid in detoxification and helps lower bad cholesterol (LDL) levels. This avoid any blockage in the arteries.
beetroot juice recipe | healthy Indian beetroot juice | calcium, Vitamin C and folic acid rich chukandar juice | The high nitrate content of beetroots which get converted to nitric oxide result in the expansion the blood vessels and thereby lowering the blood pressure and ensuring proper oxygen flow to all parts of the body.
carrot apple beetroot and spinach juice recipe | beet spinach and carrot juice | carrot beet spinach juice benefits | healthy carrot beet detox juice is an antioxidant filled juice, perfect for morning.
muskmelon is great to use in Inidan juices to lower cholesterol.
carrot melon orange juice recipe | detox cantaloupe carrot orange juice | immunity boosting cantaloupe carrot juice | kharbuja gajar santre ka juice | And what you get is an immunity boosting cantaloupe carrot juice with the benefits of vitamin A and vitamin C. Both these nutrients have multiple health benefits from assisting in healthy vision to having a glowing, wrinkle free skin. They further also reduce inflammation in the body and help ward off free radicals which can otherwise be a cause of many chronic diseases like cancer and heart disease.
High fibre juices to lower cholesterol
carrot, spinach and parsley juice recipe | Indian carrot parsley juice | spinach carrot celery juice for detox is a healthy concoction which can help flush toxins from your body. The refreshing veggies (carrot, spinach, parsley, celery) combine to make a super carrot, spinach and parsley juice which is rich in fibre to keep a check on blood cholesterol levels. Carrots and spinach have been credited with antioxidants like beta carotene, lutein, xanthin etc. which help to fight the harmful free radicals in the body. These together also contribute to eye, hair and skin health. They help add glow to skin and prevent the onset of age related eye diseases.
These juices are also remarkable options to unhealthy deep-fried snack. Have them in between meals to satisfy your hunger pangs healthily. A few appetizing and flavorsome additions to this section are Lemony Lettuce Drink, Apple Cucumber Juice, Melon Punch, Orange Pomegranate and Black Grape Juice etc.
low fat curds to make Indian drink for lowering cholesterol
Chaas is loved in all parts of India. Try the low fat chaas recipe which is made from low fat curds and has zero oil. Perfect for a healthy heart.
drink low fat milk instead of regular milk
Yes, we need milk without the fat. See our recipe of how to make skimmed milk | how to make skim milk from whole milk | homemade skimmed milk | how to make low fat milk at home |
Enjoy our low cholesterol Indian drinks, juices and shakes | best drinks to lower cholesterol | and other low cholesterol articles below.
Low Cholesterol Rice, Pulao & Biryani
Low Cholesterol Rotis, Parathas
Low Cholesterol Salads, Raitas
low cholesterol veg soup recipes | healthy low cholesterol soups | low cholesterol soups for Indian patients | Easy-to-make, tasty and healthy low cholesterol soups– that’s enough reason to make the recipes from this section.
They make use of simple, readily available ingredients, when served piping hot are too delicious to be avoided. They are also a chockful of nutrients including fiber to keep an eye on Cholesterol levels in our body.
For broccoli lovers we have the immunity boosting Vitamin C rich Broccoli broth recipe. There is no cornflour in the recipe and the calories for broccoli broth is only 27.
The onion thyme soup recipe is made of onions and flavoured with a vegetable stock and thyme. Enjoy this clear soup with the calories for onion thyme soup is only 67.
4 ingredients to avoid in low cholesterol soups
1. Cornflour
2. Sugar
3. Full fat milk as low fat milk is a better option
4. Potatoes
Carrots in low cholesterol soups
Carrot is great for the eyes.They relieve constipation, lower blood pressure, have fibre and lower cholesterol. Enjoy this carrot onion soup recipe which uses low fat milk and perfect for low cholesterol.
Green peas for low cholestrol soups
Green peas are good for weight loss, good source of vegetarian protein, has insoluble fibre to relieve constipation.
Legumes like green peas, cow peas, mung, chick peas and kidney beans have a cholesterol lowering effect. Enjoy this low cal green peas and mint soup recipe.
Nourishing Barley Soup, Spicy Stir-Fry Soup and Broccoli Broth are perfect simple tasty soups.
If you have the time to make Vegetable Stock, then do give a try to soups like Tom Yom Soup, Paneer Bean Sprouts and Spring Onion Soup, Minty Vegetable and Oats Soup etc.
And if you are looking for wholesome soups like Carrot Soup, Healthy Tomato Soup and Healthy Red Lentil Soup, we have them listed in this section too.
These soups are extremely flavoured with fresh veggies, tasty and extremely satisfying without much use of oil, butter or cheese.
Enjoy our Low Cholesterol veg soup recipes, Healthy low cholesterol soups and other low cholesterol articles below.
Low Cholesterol Recipes
Low Cholesterol Accompanients
Low Cholesterol Breakfast
Low Cholesterol Desserts
Low Cholesterol Drinks, Beverages
Low Cholesterol International
Low Cholesterol Rice, Pulao & Biryani
Low Cholesterol Rotis, Parathas
Low Cholesterol Salads, Raitas
Low Cholesterol Starters, Snacks
Low Cholesterol Subzis, Dals