Diet for Hyperlipidemia

Hyperlipidemia is a condition where there is too much free circulating fat in the blood. It is also known as hyperlipoproteinemia. These fats or lipids include cholesterol, phospholipids, and triglycerides. Having too much fat circulating in your bloodstream makes you a prime candidate for a heart disease as the fat may build up along the walls of the arteries, causing heart disease and stroke.

Treatment

Treatment for hyperlipidemia includes strict dietetic control. A diet low in fat, both saturated and unsaturated, and cholesterol is recommended as well as avoiding alcohol. People with hyperlipidemia should ensure that 25% or less of their total caloric intake comes from fat. Calories from saturated fat should not exceed 7% of the total caloric intake. Of course, polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats are better than saturated, but should still only make up 10-20% of total caloric intake respectively. Carbohydrates, preferably complex ones like whole grains, should make up approximately 50-60% of the daily calories, with proteins only coming in at 5% or less. People who are suffering from hyperlipidemia should also incorporate 2 g of plant sterols and 10-25g of soluble fiber a day.

Food Choice Restrictions

Foods should be chosen based on fat content, where only the leanest meats, poultry, shellfish and fish are eaten. Remove the skin of chicken and turkey to reduce fat and choose less fatty fish, like cod. Limit or exclude red meat, duck and goose as they are all high in fat, both saturated and unsaturated. Wherever possible, substitute a soy or tofu protein choice, such as soy burgers and hot dogs, as they are considerably lower in fat than their meat alternatives.
Eggs, while good for you, contain a lot of cholesterol in their yolks, and should be limited, or remove the yolks and enjoy as many as you like. Also, many dairy products are extremely high in fat, but are also nutritious and should be consumed. Limit servings to two to three per day and choose only fat free or low fat options.

Vegetables are extremely low in fat and should be consumed regularly and in great quantities as long as they are not prepared with butter, margarine or covered in cheese. Vegetable oils used to prepare foods should be low in fat such as canola, corn, olive, safflower, sesame, peanut, soybean, or sunflower. Breads and cereals should be whole grain, which will not only be low in fat, but high in fiber and healthy carbohydrates, killing two birds with one stone.

Daily Food Intake Guide

An acceptable daily diet plan should include the following foods: Less than 5 oz. per day of lean meat or fish, two to three servings of non or low fat dairy, 6 to 8 tsp a day of whole grains, six servings a day of vegetables, and two to five servings of fruits.