Top Foods for Cholesterol

1.     Spinach. full of lutein which helps protect against macular degeneration, a leading cause of blindness. Research suggests that just a half cup of spinach daily also protects against heart attacks.

2.     Salmon. Research shows that certain types of fat actually protect against high cholesterol. Omega-3 fatty acids are found in salmon which help lower "bad" LDL cholesterol, raise "good" HDL cholesterol, and lower triglycerides. The American Heart Association recommends eating at least two servings of fish every week, preferably fatty fish, by far the richest sources of fish-oil omega-3s.

3.     Beans: Beans are rich in fiber and very high in cholesterol-lowering soluble fiber. By eating just a cup of any type of beans a day (kidney, navy, pinto, black, chickpea, or butter beans) you can lower cholesterol by as much as 10 percent in six weeks. Eat beans five or more times a week. The FDA and the National Cancer Institute recommend that adults get 25 to 30 g of fiber each day.

4.     Soy. Reducing saturated fat is the most important dietary change you can make to cut blood cholesterol. Used as a replacement for meat and cheese, soy foods help your heart by slashing the amount of saturated fat that you eat. The FDA recommends getting at least 25 grams of soy protein each day. Consuming 25 grams of soy protein daily lowers high cholesterol.

5.     Avocado. Avocados are an excellent source of monounsaturated fat. This is a type of fat that may actually help to raise levels of HDL while lowering levels of LDL. The American Heart Association recommends that you get up to 15 percent of your daily calories from monounsaturated fats like those contained in avocados.