A Low Cholesterol Diet Can Taste Great

By George McKenzie

Many people, when they think of healthful eating, immediately think of bland, boring diets that may be heart-friendly, but are not particularly appetizing. This doesn't have to be true of low-cholesterol diets.

Watching your cholesterol can include eating delicious foods, prepared in ways you may not have tried before. There is endless room for experimentation and learning to love tastes you've never experienced.

One of the first things to remember about a heart-healthy, low-cholesterol diet is that cholesterol only appears in animal products. This is good news, because it means you can have lots of tasty vegetables, fruits and grains to add variety to your diet.

When you first start eating cholesterol-free foods, you may feel as if you're "giving up" some of your favorite foods. But chances are, you'll develop new favorites quickly from among the many choices available.

Fruits and vegetables are staples of a low-cholesterol diet. Don't feel limited to apples, bananas, lettuce and tomatoes. Your local farmer's market or produce department will have many appealing choices you've never tried before, and you will no doubt find new favorite veggies and fruits making their way to your table quite often.

Because grain does not contain cholesterol, whole grain breads and cereals are good choices for your heart-healthy diet. Sprinkling some brewer's yeast on your morning cereal and dinner salad can also help keep your cholesterol balanced.

One of the big issues for many people, in adopting a low-cholesterol diet, is meat. While red meat does contain a lot of cholesterol, fish and skinless poultry are great choices for healthful eating. Make sure to trim all the visible fat from meat before you cook it. And instead of frying, try grilling, broiling, boiling, baking, or sautéing.

If you love a morning omelet and are dreading the thought of giving up eggs, you can switch to egg whites, or use cholesterol-free egg substitutes.

You can also add heart-friendly nuts like walnuts and almonds to your diet and enjoy healthy snacks of plain, salt-free popcorn or pretzels.

Your choices are nearly unlimited when it comes to finding foods that are tasty and healthful. Most people dread cholesterol-free diets only because they are unaware of the variety of foods available. Once you take the time to discover your new favorites, you'll find that eating foods that are good for you can taste great and leave you feeling good about your eating habits, as well.
For more information on topics related to this article, click on Foods That Are High in Cholesterol.

George McKenzie is a retired TV anchor, medical reporter and radio talk show host. He often contributes articles to The Southwest Health Information Exchange, a resource site about health and wellness.

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The Wondrous Benefits of Soy Protein

By Janet Somer

Soy protein is emerging as one of the great alternative protein sources for human consumption. Health experts are all excited about how soy protein can change the face of nutrition. What's all the rage? Here are some great reasons to get with soy protein.

Soy Protein is Plant ProteinSoy beans contain complete protein and have one of the best protein digestibilities among all protein sources. Soy beans also contain little or no fat and have virtually no cholesterol. Lactose intolerant ones will be pleased to know that soy beans contain no lactose.
Being a plant protein, soy is free from steroids and antibiotics animal protein contains. It is also free from the parasites that contaminate some of these products. They also contain none of the diseases one can contract from mean sources such as Mad Cow Disease, and Foot and Mouth Disease.

Vegetarians love this bean as it provides a comparable - if not better - source of protein as compared to its animal counterpart. It provides a protein that is better and easier to digest and is comparable to most protein supplements.

Soy Beans are Very VersatileSoy beans are very versatile. Various cuisines, especially Asian ones recognize the value of the humble soy bean. A variety of naturally yummy delicacies are all soy based: tofu, soy pudding, Soya milk, and meat substitutes - not to mention condiments such as soy sauce, and hoi sin sauce.

To counter the problem of world hunger, the growing of soybeans has been suggested. Not only are soybeans easy to grow and harvest, they will grow pretty much anywhere and produces much in a little time. There have been farmers reported to have replaced their entire crop line with soy bean plants. These hardy little plants produce much per harvest, and, as said earlier, can grow in even the most trying terrain.

The Great SubstituteSoy is low in fat and can be used to substitute most protein sources. When cooking, you may use soy substitutes instead of flour for a low fat alternative. This makes it a great protein source for those that are looking to lose weight without compromising their protein requirements.

Bodybuilders are considering how this can make their jobs a lot easier. Without the fat and with all the protein goodness - easily digestible at that - bodybuilding has just received a great blessing of a food.

Although these bodybuilders are currently debating how soy can be a help to bodybuilders, it doesn't take away anything from what soy can contribute to the overall health of a person.

It is very advisable to stick to natural protein rather than processes protein if possible, as processed foods typically have some risk attached to them. The best use of this food can be attributed to how it perfectly fits into anyone's low-fat, high-protein diet.

Soy products can be incorporated into shakes and drinks. And being lactose-free, lactose intolerant people will still be able to get their milkshake fix without having to suffer so.

Soy products are also a great source of other nutrients such as saponins, isoflavones, and phytosterol. Saponins help support a healthy immune system. It also combines with cholesterol to avoid increased absorption of cholesterol in the body. Phytosterols also help reduce the absorption of cholesterol in the body in the same way saponins do.

Isoflavones are powerful antioxidants and prevent the effects of free radicals in the body. They prevent many of the signs of aging and have been known to help prevent cancer. This alone makes soy a miracle protein source in its own right.

Isoflavones, along with vitamins A,C, and E are among the front liners in the fight against such disease - they also counter the effects of pollution, and stress.

How Much is Too MuchUnlike other protein sources, it is pretty safe to consume a wide amount of soy products. While allergies to soy products exist, cases are few and far between. When changing to a soy diet, however, it would be best to consult your physician or your nutritionist. Ask specifically if the soy interferes with any prescription drugs you are taking.

Soy can be great blessing for people who are looking for a great source of protein that does not entail the side effects of most of the other sources. It would be advisable for one to explore how it can improve one's diet.

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