If you have high cholesterol, doctors say to limit these 12 foods

High cholesterol is common but not harmless. According to the CDC, in the U.S, nearly two in five adults have high LDL or “bad” cholesterol, which raises the risk of heart attack and stroke, yet many never feel any symptoms until there is serious damage. Diet and lifestyle changes remain the foundation of treatment, and what you cut back on matters as much as what you add.  

Modern guidelines focus less on counting milligrams of dietary cholesterol and more on limiting foods high in saturated and trans fats, which raise LDL. Here are 12 foods and food groups doctors and heart experts say to limit if you are trying to lower your cholesterol. This list is general information, not personal medical advice.

Fatty Cuts Of Red Meat

The American Heart Association explains that eating too much saturated fat raises LDL cholesterol and that fatty cuts of beef, lamb, and pork are major sources. Limit marbled steaks, ribs, brisket, and high-fat ground beef, and choose leaner cuts or plant proteins instead if your LDL is high.

Processed Meats

Bacon, sausage, hot dogs, and deli meats combine saturated fat with sodium and preservatives that harm heart health. Mass General Brigham notes that processed meats are among the worst foods for high cholesterol and recommends swapping them for grilled chicken, fish, or beans to reduce LDL and overall cardiovascular risk.

Full-Fat Dairy Products

Butter, cream, whole milk, full-fat cheese, and ice cream are rich in saturated fat, which can raise LDL when eaten regularly. Eat For Health recommends choosing low-fat or fat-free milk, yogurt, and cheese, and using liquid vegetable oils instead of butter or cream when cooking to help lower cholesterol.

Fried Foods

French fries, fried chicken, onion rings, and other deep-fried items typically soak up large amounts of fat and are often cooked in oils high in saturated or trans fats. WebMD and hospital dietitians highlight fried foods as a major category to avoid or strictly limit with high cholesterol, suggesting baking, grilling, or air frying as healthier alternatives for the heart.

Commercial Baked Goods And Pastries

Store-bought cakes, cookies, donuts, and pies often contain butter, shortening, and partially hydrogenated oils, all of which can raise LDL and some of which can also lower protective HDL.

Even though industrial trans fats from partially hydrogenated oils have declined thanks to regulation, the University of Florida Health notes that many baked goods still deliver a heavy load of saturated fat and added sugar, both of which undermine heart health.

Fast Food Burgers And Breakfast Sandwiches

Many fast-food burgers and breakfast sandwiches combine refined carbs with high levels of saturated fat from processed meat and cheese. These are almost always among the worst choices for people with elevated LDL and are best limited in favor of grilled options, salads with lean protein, or homemade sandwiches on whole-grain bread.

Tropical Oils Like Coconut And Palm Oil

Coconut oil and palm oil are heavily marketed as natural, but they are high in saturated fat. People with high cholesterol are advised to limit tropical oils in cooking and processed foods and instead use unsaturated options like olive, canola, or other vegetable oils, which are associated with improved lipid profiles.

Poultry Skin And Dark Meat With Visible Fat

Chicken and turkey can be heart-healthy, but the skin and fattier dark meat add saturated fat that raises LDL cholesterol. WebMD and the National Council on Aging recommend choosing skinless poultry and trimming visible fat, especially if you eat these meats frequently as part of a cholesterol-lowering plan.

Egg Yolks In Large Quantities

Current guidance has shifted away from strict limits on dietary cholesterol for everyone, but experts still suggest moderation with egg yolks if you already have high LDL or cardiovascular disease.

The American Heart Association stresses that overall saturated fat intake has a bigger impact on blood cholesterol than dietary cholesterol alone, but many clinicians still advise keeping whole eggs to a few per week for those at high risk, while emphasizing that egg whites and plant proteins are cholesterol-free options.

Sugary Drinks And Sweets

Sugary sodas, sweet teas, candy, and desserts do not contain cholesterol, but they drive weight gain, insulin resistance, and higher triglycerides, which worsen overall lipid profiles. BSW Health notes that high added sugar intake is linked to higher triglycerides and lower HDL, and that cutting back on sugar is an important part of any heart-healthy diet.

Refined White Bread, Pasta, and Snack Foods

Refined grains and ultra-processed snacks are low in fiber and often high in added fats and sugars. WebMD and heart diet guidelines recommend replacing white bread, regular pasta, chips, and crackers with whole-grain options like oats, barley, and brown rice, which provide soluble fiber that can help lower LDL cholesterol.

High Cholesterol Organ Meats

Liver, kidney, and other organ meats are dense sources of dietary cholesterol and often also contain significant saturated fat. While occasional small portions may fit into some meal plans, Medical News Today and senior health organizations advise people with hypercholesterolemia to limit organ meats and choose leaner cuts more often.

Disclosure: This article was developed with the assistance of AI and was subsequently reviewed, revised, and approved by our editorial team.

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