Bad Cholesterol Foods That Impact Your Workouts
The word cholesterol has a bad reputation, but cholesterol is naturally made in the body. It helps in making hormones and promotes the proper functioning of the brain and other body organs. You can also get cholesterol from consuming certain foods. There are two types of cholesterol: LDL (low-density lipoprotein) or bad cholesterol and HDL (High-density lipoprotein) or good cholesterol.
If you’re working out, you need to avoid bad cholesterol foods since they will increase your cholesterol levels. Also, bad LDL foods will increase your susceptibility to heart diseases, chest pain, and stroke. Here is a list of foods high in bad cholesterol that gym-goers and workout enthusiasts need to avoid.
Fried Foods
Fried foods are packed with high amounts of bad cholesterol and saturated fats from the oils they’re deep-fried in. Consuming high amounts of fried foods increases your risk for diabetes, obesity, and heart disease. You’re better off eating baked chicken or turkey without the skin to get the protein without any harmful cholesterol.
Baked Goods
Cookies, donuts, and sweets usually include butter or shortening, meaning they have high amounts of cholesterol and trans-fat. They also have sugar which can increase your blood triglycerides, and that’s a risk factor for coronary heart disease. Instead of cookies and cakes, consider eating fruits for dessert, like apple slices with peanut butter dip or a banana smoothie.
Full-fat dairy
Butter, cheese, whole milk, and full-fat yogurt contain high levels of saturated fats. So, start limiting cheese intake and aim for low-fat dairy products or healthy alternatives like almond milk.
Red Meat and Processed Meat
Red meat and processed meat have high sodium, cholesterol, and saturated fat levels, which can increase the risk of heart diseases and colon cancer. Lean cuts of beef, lean ground poultry, and minimally processed sausage are all great options to enjoy the great taste and get the protein without compromising your health and fitness.
Sugars
Products full of sugar like sweets, ice creams, pastries tend to have a high amount of cholesterol, added sugars, calories, and unhealthy fats. Usually, they also lack the vitamins you require for muscle building and body development. So, if you want to meet your ripped body goals, avoid foods high in sugar.
Final Thoughts
Keeping your diet in check is a must if you want to achieve your fitness goals, and staying away from bad cholesterol means you won’t sabotage your workout efforts.
That said, consider paring up your daily workouts with lifestyle or fat-burning supplements from swoleaf.com like Night Night and Ripped AF. This way, you can reduce bad cholesterol levels and get the most out of your exercises.
Reference
https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/cholesterol-healthy-eating-tips
https://www.gymandfitness.com.au/blogs/eat/high-cholesterol-foods-that-you-need-to-avoid-for-good-health
https://www.gymandfitness.com.au/blogs/eat/high-cholesterol-foods-that-you-need-to-avoid-for-good-health
