Eating Meat When You Have High Cholesterol

Medically Reviewed by James Beckerman, MD, FACC on August 20, 2022
1 min read

If you have high cholesterol, you should talk with your doctor about what you eat, including meat.

There are good, lean choices. For example, you can consider chicken or turkey breasts without skin; pork tenderloin; or beef round, sirloin, or tenderloin. Avoid highly processed meats (bacon, ham, lunchmeat, etc.).

Check the nutrition label on the package to determine portion size. Also, limit your serving size according to your doctor's instructions. Or follow the TLC diet recommendations of no more than 5 ounces total per day of lean meat, poultry, or fish.

The American Heart Association recommends eating fish with omega-3 fatty acids at least twice a week. Doing so can lower your risk of dying from coronary artery disease. Fish higher in omega-3 fatty acids include salmon, mackerel, sardines, tuna, and herring.

Other healthy protein alternatives include dried beans and peas, nuts and seeds, low-fat dairy products, and soy products. Protein does not have to come from meat.