YOUR GUIDE TO

Lowering Your 

Cholesterol With TLC

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

National Institutes of Health

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
YOUR GUIDE TO

Lowering Your 

Cholesterol With TLC

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

National Institutes of Health

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

NIH Publication No. 06–5235

December 2005
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Why Cholesterol Matters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

What Affects Cholesterol Levels? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Knowing Your Cholesterol Level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Setting Your Goal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Treating High LDL Cholesterol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

The TLC Diet: A Heart Healthy Eating Plan. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Foods To Choose for TLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Becoming Physically Active . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

Maintaining a Healthy Weight. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

Sample Menus for TLC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54

The Metabolic Syndrome—A Special Concern. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70

Learning to Live the TLC Way. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73

Keeping Track of Your Changes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73

Be Smart When You Start . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76

Reward Yourself . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76

Making TLC a Family Affair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77

A Final Note . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78

To Learn More . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80

Contents

Contents
1

Introduction

Introduction

High blood cholesterol can affect anyone. It’s a serious condition

that increases the risk for heart disease, the number one killer of

Americans—women and men. The higher your blood cholesterol

level, the greater your risk.

Fortunately, if you have high blood cholesterol, there are steps you

can take to lower it and protect your health. This booklet will show

you how to take action by following the “TLC Program” for reducing high blood cholesterol. TLC stands for Therapeutic Lifestyle

Changes, a three-part program that uses diet, physical activity, and

weight management. Sometimes, drug treatment also is needed to

lower blood cholesterol enough. But even then, the TLC Program

should be followed.

The booklet has four main sections: It explains why cholesterol 

matters and helps you find your heart disease risk; describes the

TLC Program; talks about a condition called the

metabolic syndrome that can also be treated

with TLC; and offers advice on how to

make heart healthy lifestyle changes.

Within the sections you’ll find tips on

such topics as how to: communicate

better with your doctor and other

health care professionals, read food

labels, make and stick with lifestyle

changes, plan heart healthy menus for the

whole family, and make heart healthy

choices when you eat out.

Anyone can develop high blood 

cholesterol—everyone can take steps 

to lower it.
Why Cholesterol Matters

2

Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance found in the walls of cells 

in all parts of the body, from the nervous system to the liver to the

heart. The body uses cholesterol to make hormones, bile acids, 

vitamin D, and other substances.

The body makes all the cholesterol it needs. Cholesterol circulates

in the bloodstream but cannot travel by itself. As with oil and

water, cholesterol (which is fatty) and blood (which is watery) do

not mix. So cholesterol travels in packages called lipoproteins,

which have fat (lipid) inside and protein outside.

Two main kinds of lipoproteins carry cholesterol in the blood:

■ Low density lipoprotein, or LDL, which also is called the “bad”

cholesterol because it carries cholesterol to tissues, including the

arteries. Most of the cholesterol in the blood is the LDL form.

The higher the level of LDL cholesterol in the blood, the 

greater your risk for heart disease.

■ High density lipoprotein, or HDL, which also is called the 

“good” cholesterol because it takes cholesterol from tissues to 

the liver, which removes it from the body. A low level of HDL

cholesterol increases your risk for heart disease.

If there is too much cholesterol in the blood, some of the excess can

become trapped in artery walls. Over time, this builds up and is

called plaque. The plaque can narrow vessels and make them less

flexible, a condition called atherosclerosis or “hardening of the

arteries.”

This process can happen to blood vessels anywhere in the body,

including those of the heart, which are called the coronary arteries.

If the coronary arteries become partly blocked by plaque, then the

blood may not be able to bring enough oxygen and nutrients to the

heart muscle. This can cause chest pain, or angina. Some cholesYour Guide to Lowering Your Cholesterol With Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes
terol-rich plaques are unstable—they have a thin covering and can

burst, releasing cholesterol and fat into the bloodstream. The

release can cause a blood clot to form over the plaque, blocking

blood flow through the artery—and causing a heart attack.

When atherosclerosis affects the coronary arteries, the condition is

called coronary heart disease or coronary artery disease. It is the

main type of heart disease and this booklet will refer to it simply as

heart disease.

Because high blood cholesterol affects the coronary arteries, it is 

a major risk factor for heart disease. Risk factors are causes and 

conditions that increase your chance of developing a disease.

Other major heart disease risk factors are given in Box 1.

3Why Cholesterol Matters

Heart Disease Risk Factors

Risk factors are conditions or behaviors that increase your chance

of developing a disease. For heart disease, there are two types of

risk factors—those you can’t change and those you can. Fortunately,

most of the heart disease risk factors can be changed.

Risk factors you can’t change

● Age—45 or older for men; 55 or older for women

● Family history of early heart disease—father or brother 

diagnosed before age 55, or mother or sister diagnosed 

before age 65

Risk factors you can change

● Smoking

● High blood pressure

● High blood cholesterol

● Overweight/obesity

● Physical inactivity

● Diabetes

BOX 1
4

What Affects Cholesterol Levels?

Various factors can cause unhealthy cholesterol levels. Some of the

factors cannot be changed but most can be modified. The factors are:

Those you cannot change—

■ Heredity. The amount of LDL cholesterol your body makes 

and how fast it is removed from your body is determined partly

by genes. High blood cholesterol can run in families. However,

very few people are stuck with a high cholesterol just by heredity 

—and everyone can take action to lower their cholesterol.

Furthermore, even if high cholesterol does not run in your family,

you can still develop it. High cholesterol is a common condition

among Americans, even young persons, and even those with no 

family history of it.

■ Age and sex. Blood cholesterol begins to rise around age 20 

and continues to go up until about age 60 or 65. Before age 50,

men’s total cholesterol levels tend to be higher than those of 

women of the same age—after age 50, the opposite happens.

That’s because with menopause, women’s LDL levels often rise.

Those under your control—

■ Diet. Three nutrients in your diet make LDL levels rise: 

• Saturated fat, a type of fat found mostly in foods that come 

from animals; 

• Trans fat, found mostly in foods made with hydrogenated oils

and fats (see pages 20–21) such as stick margarine, crackers, 

and french fries; and 

• Cholesterol, which comes only from animal products.

These nutrients will be discussed more later (see pages 19–23).

But it’s important to know that saturated fat raises your LDL 

cholesterol level more than anything else in your diet. Diets 

with too much saturated fat, trans fat, and cholesterol are the 

main cause for high levels of blood cholesterol—a leading 

contributor to the high rate of heart attacks among Americans.

■ Overweight. Excess weight tends to increase your LDL level.

Also, it typically raises triglycerides, a fatty substance in the 

blood and in food (see Box 2), and lowers HDL. Losing the 

extra pounds may help lower your LDL and triglycerides, while 

raising your HDL.

Your Guide to Lowering Your Cholesterol With Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes
■ Physical inactivity. Being physically inactive contributes to 

overweight and can raise LDL and lower HDL. Regular physical

activity can raise HDL and lower triglycerides, and can help 

you lose weight and, in that way, help lower your LDL.

Knowing Your Cholesterol Level

You can have high cholesterol and not realize it. Most of the 65 

million Americans with high cholesterol have no symptoms. So it’s

important to have your blood cholesterol levels checked. All adults

age 20 and older should have their cholesterol levels checked at least

once every 5 years. If you have an elevated cholesterol, you’ll need

to have it tested more often. Talk with your doctor to find out how

often is best for you.

5Why Cholesterol Matters

What Are Triglycerides?

Triglycerides, which are produced in the liver, are another type of

fat found in the blood and in food. Causes of raised triglycerides

are overweight/obesity, physical inactivity, cigarette smoking,

excess alcohol intake, and a diet very high in carbohydrates 

(60 percent of calories or higher). Recent research indicates that

triglyceride levels that are borderline high (150–199 mg/dL) or 

high (200–499 mg/dL) may increase your risk for heart disease.

(Levels of 500 mg/dL or more need to be lowered with medication

to prevent the pancreas from becoming inflamed.) A triglyceride

level of 150 mg/dL or higher also is one of the risk factors of the

metabolic syndrome (see pages 70–72).

To reduce blood triglyceride levels: control your weight, be 

physically active, don’t smoke, limit alcohol intake, and limit simple

sugars (see Box 20 on page 36) and sugar-sweetened beverages.

Sometimes, medication also is needed.

BOX 2

What Are Triglycerides?
6

The recommended cholesterol test is called a “lipoprotein profile.”

It measures the levels of total cholesterol (which includes the 

cholesterol in all lipoproteins), LDL, HDL, and triglycerides. The

lipoprotein profile is done after a 9- to 12-hour fast. A small sample

of blood is taken from your finger or arm. If you don’t fast, you can

still have your total cholesterol and HDL levels measured.

The levels are measured as milligrams of cholesterol per deciliter of

blood, or mg/dL. Box 3 gives the classifications for total, LDL, and

HDL cholesterol.

Setting Your Goal

The main goal in treating high cholesterol is to lower your LDL

level. Studies have proven that lowering LDL can prevent heart

attacks and reduce deaths from heart disease in both men and

Your Guide to Lowering Your Cholesterol With Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes

Cholesterol Classifications

BOX 3

Total Cholesterol

Less than 200 mg/dL Desirable

200–239 mg/dL Borderline high

240 mg/dL and above High

LDL Cholesterol

Less than 100 mg/dL Optimal (ideal)

100–129 mg/dL Near optimal/above optimal

130–159 mg/dL Borderline high

160–189 mg/dL High

190 mg/dL and above Very high

HDL Cholesterol

Less than 40 mg/dL Major heart disease risk factor

60 mg/dL and above Gives some protection against 

heart disease
women. It can slow, stop, or even reverse the buildup of plaque.

It also can lower the cholesterol content in unstable plaques, making

them more stable and less likely to burst and cause a heart attack.

Lowering LDL is especially important for those who already have

heart disease or have had a heart attack—it will reduce the risk of

another heart attack and can actually prolong life.

The level to which your LDL must be lowered depends on the risk

for developing heart disease or having a heart attack that you are

found to have at the start of treatment. The higher your risk, the

lower your goal LDL level.

The TLC Program uses four categories of heart disease risk to set

LDL goals and treatment steps. If you have heart disease or 

diabetes, then you are in category I, which has the highest risk.

If you don’t have either of those conditions, then find your risk 

category by doing the assessment in Box 4, which will send you to

Box 5 if needed.

The higher your risk category, the more important it is to lower

your LDL and control any other heart disease risk factors (including

smoking and high blood pressure) you have. Further, the higher

your risk category, the more you’ll benefit from taking action. But

whatever your risk category, you will use the TLC approach as a

basic part of your treatment.

7Why Cholesterol Matters
8Your Guide to Lowering Your Cholesterol With Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes

What’s Your Heart Disease Risk?

BOX 4

Treatment for high cholesterol depends on your risk for heart disease. To find this risk and, so, your LDL treatment goal, answer

the questions below—you may need to check with your doctor:

Step 1 How many of the following risk factors do you have?

Check any that apply. Major risk factors that affect your LDL goal:

_____a. Cigarette smoking

_____b. High blood pressure (140/90 mmHg* or higher or being 

on blood pressure medication)

_____c. Low HDL cholesterol (less than 40 mg/dL)†

_____d. Family history of early heart disease (diagnosed in father 

or brother before age 55; diagnosed in mother or sister 

before age 65)

_____e. Age (45 or older for men; 55 or older for women) 

_____ Total number of risk factors (count the checks)

* mmHg stands for millimeters of mercury

† If your HDL is 60 mg/dL or higher, subtract 1 from your total 

count—that level gives you some protection against heart disease.

Note: Obesity and physical inactivity are not on the above list but

must be corrected to keep your heart healthy. Diabetes is such a

strong risk factor that by itself it gives you a high risk for heart disease (see Step 3).

Step 2 What is your risk of having a heart attack in the next 10

years? This is called a “risk score.” If you have 2 or more of the

risk factors in step 1, use Box 5 to get your risk score. If you have

0 or 1 of the factors in step 1, your risk score is low to moderate,

and you can proceed to step 3. 

Step 3 What is your heart disease risk category? Use your number of risk factors and your risk score to find your category in the

table below.
9Why Cholesterol Matters

Setting Your LDL Goal

Once you know your heart disease risk category, you can find your

LDL goal level.

You are Your LDL goal 

If you have: in category: level is:

Heart disease, diabetes, I—High Risk Less than 

or a risk score more 100 mg/dL

than 20%

2 or more risk factors II—Next Highest Risk Less than 

and risk score 10–20% 130 mg/dL

2 or more risk factors III—Moderate Risk Less than 

and risk score less 130 mg/dL

than 10%

0 or 1 risk factor IV—Low-to- Less than 

Moderate Risk 160 mg/dL
10Your Guide to Lowering Your Cholesterol With Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes

What’s Your 10-Year Risk for

a Heart Attack?

The tables below are based on data from the landmark

Framingham Heart Study, a long-term study of the people in

Framingham, MA, and their offspring. It gives you a risk score, 

or chance of having a heart attack in the next 10 years. Use the

risk score to find your category of risk and your goal LDL level. 

A risk score of 20% means that 20 of 100 people in that risk 

category will have a heart attack within 10 years.

BOX 5
11Why Cholesterol Matters

Estimate of 10-Year Risk for Men (Framingham Point Scores)

Point Total 10-Year Risk %

<0 <1 

0 1 

1 1 

2 1 

3 1 

4 1 

5 2 

6 2 

7 3 

8 4 

9 5 

10 6 

11 8 

12 10 

13 12

14 16 

15 20 

16 25 

≥17 ≥30 

<160 0 0 0 0 0

160–199 4 3 2 1 0

200–239 7 5 3 1 0

240–279 9 6 4 2 1

≥280 11 8 5 3 1

Total

Cholestero Age 20–39 Age 40–49 Age 50–59 Age 60–69 Age 70–79

Age 20–39 Age 40–49 Age 50–59 Age 60–69 Age 70–79

Points 

Nonsmoker 00 000

Smoker 85 311

Points 

HDL (mg/dL) Points

≥60 -1

50–59 0

40–49 1

<40 2

Systolic BP (mmHg) If Untreated If Treated

<120 0 0

120–129 0 1

130–139 1 2

140–159 1 2

≥160 2 3

Age Points

20–34 -9

35–39 -4

40–44 0

45–49 3

50–54 6

55–59 8

60–64 10

65–69 11

70–74 12

75–79 13

10-Year risk_____%

l
12Your Guide to Lowering Your Cholesterol With Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes

Estimate of 10-Year Risk for Women (Framingham Point Scores)

Point Total 10-Year Risk %

<9 <1 

9 1 

10 1 

11 1 

12 1 

13 2 

14 2 

15 3 

16 4 

17 5 

18 6 

19 8 

20 11 

21 14 

22 17 

23 22 

24 27 

≥25 ≥30 

<160 0 0 0 0 0

160–199 4 3 2 1 1

200–239 8 6 4 2 1

240–279 11 8 5 3 2

≥280 13 10 7 4 2

Total

Cholestero Age 20–39 Age 40–49 Age 50–59 Age 60–69 Age 70–79

Age 20–39 Age 40–49 Age 50–59 Age 60–69 Age 70–79

Points 

Nonsmoker 00 000

Smoker 97 421

Points 

HDL (mg/dL) Points

≥60 -1

50–59 0

40–49 1

<40 2

Systolic BP (mmHg) If Untreated If Treated

<120 0 0

120–129 1 3

130–139 2 4

140–159 3 5

≥160 4 6

Age Points

20–34 -7

35–39 -3

40–44 0

45–49 3

50–54 6

55–59 8

60–64 10

65–69 12

70–74 14

75–79 16

10-Year risk_____%

BOX 5 (continued)

l
Treatment for high LDL cholesterol involves the TLC Program and,

if needed, drug therapy (see Box 6). But the cornerstone of your

treatment is the TLC Program. Even if you need to take a cholesterol-lowering drug, following the program will assure that you take

the lowest necessary dose. Further, the program does something

drug therapy doesn’t—it helps control other risk factors for heart

disease too, such as high blood pressure, overweight/obesity, and

diabetes, as well as the tendency of the blood to form clots.

As noted earlier, the TLC Program has three parts:

■ Diet (see pages 19–41)

• Decrease saturated fat, trans fat, and cholesterol.

• Add plant stanols and sterols and increase soluble fiber.

■ Physical activity (see pages 37–46)

■ Weight management (see pages 43–57)

Box 7 (page 16) shows how much you can expect to lower your

LDL cholesterol by following the TLC Program.

The intensity of your treatment will be tied to the degree of your heart

disease risk. But whatever your degree of risk, you’ll need to follow the

TLC Program. This section gives you the steps to follow. The program

uses a step-by-step approach to help make it easier for you to adopt the

changes (see Box 8 on page 17). For instance, during the first 3 months

of treatment, your main aim will be to lower your LDL cholesterol to its

goal level through diet and physical activity. You will take in only enough

calories to maintain a healthy weight, or achieve it if you’re overweight.

You’ll be working with your doctor and possibly other health professionals—see Box 9 (page 18) for tips on how to forge a heart

healthy partnership. Your progress will be reviewed regularly and, if

needed, your treatment will be adjusted to get your LDL cholesterol

down to its goal level.

13Treating High LDL Cholesterol

Treating High LDL Cholesterol
14Your Guide to Lowering Your Cholesterol With Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes

Cholesterol-Lowering Drugs

Many people will be able to lower their LDL enough with TLC

alone. If your LDL needs more lowering, you may have to take a

cholesterol-lowering drug in addition to TLC. However, by staying

on the TLC Program, you’ll be keeping that drug at the lowest

possible dose, and as a bonus you’ll be getting a bigger reduction

in your risk for heart disease. So don’t give up your heart healthy

lifestyle changes.

There are various types of drugs used to lower LDL, and they work

in different ways. Some may work for you, while others may not.

When you talk with your doctor about taking a cholesterol-lowering drug, be sure to mention other medicines you’re taking—even

over-the-counter remedies. And if you have any side effects from a

medicine, tell your doctor as soon as possible. The amount or

type of drug can be changed to reduce or stop bad side effects.

If one drug does not lower your LDL enough, you may be given a

second medication to go with it.

BOX 6
15Treating High LDL Cholesterol

The major types of cholesterol-lowering drugs are:

● Statins—lovastatin, pravastatin, simvastatin, fluvastatin, 

atorvastatin, and rosuvastatin. Statins stop an enzyme that 

controls the rate at which the body produces cholesterol. 

They lower LDL levels more than other types of drugs—about

20–55 percent—and also moderately lower triglycerides and 

raise HDL.

● Ezetimibe. This drug reduces the amount of cholesterol 

absorbed by the body. Ezetimibe can be combined with a 

statin to get more lowering of LDL. Ezetimibe lowers LDL by 

about 18–25 percent.

● Bile acid resins. These bind with cholesterol-containing bile 

acids in the intestines and are then eliminated from the body 

in the stool. They lower LDL cholesterol by about 15–30 

percent.

● Nicotinic acid—also called niacin. This is a water-soluble

B vitamin that should be taken only under physician 

supervision. It improves all lipoproteins—total cholesterol, 

LDL, triglycerides, and HDL—when taken in doses well above

the vitamin requirement. LDL levels are usually reduced by 

about 5–15 percent, and up to 25 percent in some patients.

● Fibrates. They mostly lower triglycerides and, to a lesser 

degree, raise HDL levels. Fibrates are less effective in 

lowering LDL levels.

Cholesterol-Lowering Drugs
16

Drop Your Cholesterol With TLC

BOX 7

You get a lot of benefit from the TLC Program. Here are some

estimates of how much you can lower your LDL cholesterol by 

following various steps in the program. The estimates are what is

expected based on research. The more you do with the program,

the lower your LDL will go. Further, even if you take a cholesterollowering medication, you will still benefit from the program—it will

keep the dose down.

Change LDL Reduction

Saturated fat Decrease to less than 8–10%

7% of calories

Dietary cholesterol Decrease to less 3–5%

than 200 mg/day

Weight Lose 10 pounds 5–8%

if overweight

Soluble fiber Add 5–10 grams/day 3–5%

Plant sterols/stanols Add 2 grams/day 5–15%

Total 20–30%*

* Notice that this amount of LDL reduction from TLC compares well with

many of the cholesterol-lowering

drugs.

Drop Your

Cholesterol

With TLC

Your Guide to Lowering Your Cholesterol With Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes
17Treating High LDL Cholesterol

The TLC Path to Success

The TLC Program is a step-by-step way to lower your LDL 

cholesterol—and your heart disease risk. You’ll start the program

by following a heart healthy diet and becoming physically active, in

addition to controlling other risk factors for heart disease such as

smoking and high blood pressure. As you continue with the 

program, you and your doctor will review your progress toward

reaching your LDL goal and, if needed, add other treatment

options. Throughout the program, you may seek the advice of 

a dietitian or other health professional.

A typical TLC path to success would be:

First Doctor Visit—Start Lifestyle Changes

● Reduce saturated fat, trans fat, and cholesterol.

● Increase physical activity moderately.

● If overweight, reduce calories—increase fiber-rich foods to 

help reduce calorie intake.

—Allow 6 weeks—

Second Doctor Visit—Check LDL and, If Needed, Add More

Dietary Approaches

● Reinforce reduction of saturated fat, trans fat, and cholesterol.

● Add plant stanols/sterols.

● Increase soluble fiber.

—Allow 6 weeks—

Third Doctor Visit—Check LDL and, If Needed, Add Drug

Therapy

● Start drug therapy for LDL lowering, if needed.

● Focus on treatment of metabolic syndrome (see pages 70–72)—

reinforce weight management and physical activity.

—Every 4 to 6 months—

Keep Checking Progress

BOX 8
18Your Guide to Lowering Your Cholesterol With Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes

Working With Your Doctor—

A Healthy Partnership

Your doctor is your partner in treating your high cholesterol. The

better you communicate with your doctor, the better you’ll understand and carry out your treatment. This rule also applies to other

health professionals who may join your treatment team, such as a

dietitian or a physical activity specialist.

Here are some pointers on how to make your partnership work well:

● Speak up. If you don’t understand something, ask questions.

Even if you think you know the answer, ask and be sure you 

do. Ask for explanations in simple language.

● Write it down. Be sure you write down any treatment 

instructions. If you have trouble hearing, take a friend 

with you to the visit.

● Keep records. Record your test results at each visit.

● Review your treatment. Use your visit as a chance to go 

over your treatment plan. Check your goals. Be sure you’re 

all in agreement over the next steps.

● Be open. If your doctor or another health professional asks 

you questions, give full and honest answers.

● Tell if you’re having trouble following the TLC Program.

Changes probably can be made so the program is easier for 

you to follow.

● Tell any symptoms or side effects. If something causes a 

side effect, briefly say what the symptom is, when it started, 

how often it happens, and if it’s been getting worse.

BOX 9
19Treating High LDL Cholesterol

The TLC Diet: A Heart Healthy Eating Plan

As noted earlier, what you eat greatly affects your blood cholesterol

levels. That’s why a key step in your treatment is to adopt a heart

healthy eating plan—one that’s low in saturated fat, trans fat, and

cholesterol. Box 10 on the next page explains the different types 

of fat.

When you start on the TLC Program, you’ll be asked to make

dietary changes and to become physically active. The TLC diet calls

for you to have:

■ Less than 7 percent of your daily calories from saturated fat

■ Less than 200 mg a day of cholesterol

■ 25–35 percent of daily calories from total fat (includes 

saturated fat calories)

■ Diet options you can use for more LDL lowering

• 2 grams per day of plant stanols or sterols (see pages 27–28)

• 10–25 grams per day of soluble fiber (see pages 23, 27–29)

■ Only enough calories to reach or maintain a healthy weight

■ In addition, you should get at least 30 minutes of a moderateintensity physical activity, such as brisk walking, on most, and 

preferably all, days of the week.

More information about the nutrients of the TLC diet is given

below. Throughout this booklet, you’ll find tips on what foods to

choose and how to prepare them, how to have healthy snacks, and

how to dine out while staying on the TLC diet. The aim of the TLC

diet is to help you eat healthier foods, cooked in healthier ways.

This is not a temporary diet, but rather a new way of eating that is

both heart healthy and tasty.

■ Saturated Fat (see Box 10)

As noted earlier, saturated fat raises your blood cholesterol 

more than anything else in your diet. That can’t be stressed 

enough. You may read that trans fat raises cholesterol similarly

to saturated fat, but it makes up far less of the American diet.

The average person eats much more saturated fat than trans

fat—about 4 to 5 times more. In fact, it’s estimated that 

Americans eat an average of 11 percent of their total calories 

from saturated fat, compared with about 2.5 percent from 

trans fat.
20Your Guide to Lowering Your Cholesterol With Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes

It’s important to keep your saturated fat intake to less than 

7 percent of your calories for the day—Box 11 on page 22 

shows the grams of saturated fat you can have in a day for 

different calorie levels. Box 12 on pages 24–25 tells you 

how to use the food label to choose foods low in saturated fat.

■ Trans Fat

Trans fat—or trans fatty acids—is found mostly in foods that 

have been hydrogenated. Hydrogenation is a process in which 

The Skinny on Fats

Fat is a nutrient that helps the body function in various ways: For

example, it supplies the body with energy. It also helps other nutrients work. But the body needs only small amounts of fat, and too

much of the saturated type will increase cholesterol in the blood.

There are different types of fat, and they have different effects on

cholesterol and heart disease risk. Here’s a quick rundown (for

more, see pages 19–23):

● Saturated fat. This fat is usually solid at room and refrigerator 

temperatures. It is found in greatest amounts in foods from 

animals, such as fatty cuts of meat, poultry with the skin, 

whole-milk dairy products, and lard, as well as in some vegetable

oils, including coconut and palm oils.

Studies show that too much saturated fat in the diet leads to 

higher LDL levels. Populations that tend to eat more saturated 

fat have higher cholesterol levels and more heart disease than 

those with lower intakes. Reducing the amount of saturated fat 

in your diet is a very effective way to lower LDL.

● Unsaturated fat. This fat is usually liquid at room and refrigerator

temperatures. Unsaturated fat occurs in vegetable oils, most 

nuts, olives, avocados, and fatty fish, such as salmon.

BOX 10
hydrogen is added to unsaturated fat to make it more stable 

and solid at room temperature—and more saturated. Some 

trans fat also occurs naturally in animal fats, such as dairy 

products and some meats.

When you consume more unsaturated fat, you still must be 

careful to reduce your intake of trans fat. Main sources are 

stick margarine, baked products such as crackers, cookies, 

doughnuts, and breads, and foods fried in hydrogenated 

21Treating High LDL Cholesterol

There are types of unsaturated fat—monounsaturated and 

polyunsaturated. When used instead of saturated fat, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats help lower blood 

cholesterol levels. Monounsaturated fat is found in greatest 

amounts in foods from plants, including olive, canola, sunflower,

and peanut oils. Polyunsaturated fat is found in greatest 

amounts in foods from plants, including safflower, sunflower, 

corn, soybean, and cottonseed oils, and many kinds of nuts. 

A type of polyunsaturated fat is called omega-3 fatty acids, 

which are being studied to see if they help guard against heart 

disease. Good sources of omega-3 fatty acids are some fatty 

fish, such as salmon, tuna, and mackerel.

● Trans fat. Also called trans fatty acids, it tends to raise blood 

cholesterol similarly to saturated fat. Trans fat is found mainly in 

foods made with hydrogenated vegetable oils, such as many 

hard margarines and shortenings. The harder the margarine or 

shortening, the more likely it is to contain more trans fat. 

● Total fat. This is the sum of saturated, trans, monounsaturated,

and polyunsaturated fats in food. Foods have a varying mix 

of these types. The types of fat you eat have more to do with 

your LDL level than the total fat you take in—see above and 

pages 19–23.
22

shortening, such as french fries and chicken. Trans fat also 

may be in some unsuspected places, such as dietary supplements.

Soft margarines (tub and liquid) and vegetable oil spreads 

have lower amounts of trans fat than hard margarines. Some 

margarines are now free of trans fat.

A new Federal regulation requires the amount of trans fat in a 

product to be noted on the Nutrition Facts label of the food 

package by January 2006 (see Box 12 on pages 24–25). Use the

label to choose margarines and other food products that have 

the least amount of saturated fat and trans fat. If trans fat is 

not listed on a product’s Nutrition Facts label, check the 

ingredients list. Look for shortening or hydrogenated or partially

hydrogenated vegetable oil—that often indicates the presence of

trans fat.

Keep your intake of trans fat low. Be aware that trans fat is not

included in the less than 7 percent of calories you can have 

from saturated fat.

Your Guide to Lowering Your Cholesterol With Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes

Sample Saturated Fat Intakes

BOX 11

In the war against an elevated blood cholesterol, your foremost 

foe is saturated fat. So the TLC Diet calls for you to have less than

7 percent of your daily calories from saturated fat. To help you 

follow that golden rule, here are some intakes for different daily

calorie totals:

If you consume: Eat no more than:

Calories a day Saturated Fat*

1,200 8 grams

1,500 10 grams

1,800 12 grams

2,000 13 grams

2,500 17 grams

*Amounts shown are equal to about 6 percent of total calories.
■ Total Fat (see Box 10 on pages 20 and 21)

Not all fats raise cholesterol—that’s why total fat is not itself 

a key target of your cholesterol-lowering treatment. But it’s 

important to watch your total fat intake for a couple of 

reasons: Fat is calorie-dense and, if you need to lose weight, 

limiting your intake of it can help. Many foods high in total fat

also are high in saturated fat. So eating foods low in total fat 

will help you eat less saturated fat. When you do eat fat, make 

it unsaturated fat—either monounsatured (such as olive and 

canola oils) or polyunsaturated (such as safflower, sunflower, 

corn, and soybean oils).

Total fat intake on the TLC Program can be from 25–35 percent

of daily calories to allow flexibility in putting together a diet 

that works for you.

■ Cholesterol

The cholesterol in your diet raises the cholesterol level in your 

blood—but not as much as saturated fat. However, the two 

often are found in the same foods. So by limiting your intake 

of foods rich in saturated fat, you’ll also help reduce your 

intake of cholesterol.

Dietary cholesterol comes only from foods of animal origin, 

such as liver and other organ meats; egg yolks (but not the 

whites, which have no cholesterol); shrimp; and whole milk 

dairy products, including butter, cream, and cheese.

Keep your dietary cholesterol to less than 200 milligrams a day.

Use the Nutrition Facts label on food products to help you 

choose items low in cholesterol. See Boxes 12 and 13 (pages 

24–26) for how to use food labels.

■ Soluble Fiber

Fiber comes from plants. Your body can’t really digest it or 

absorb it into your bloodstream—your body isn’t nourished by 

it. But it is vital for your good health.

Foods high in fiber can help reduce your risk of heart disease. It’s 

also good for your digestive tract and for overall health. Further, 

eating foods rich in fiber can help you feel full on fewer calories, 

which makes it a good food choice if you need to lose weight.

23Treating High LDL Cholesterol
24Your Guide to Lowering Your Cholesterol With Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes

Read the Label

BOX 12

One of your best tools in working with the TLC diet is the Nutrition

Facts label on the food package. It gives you the nutritional value

and number of servings in an item.

You can use the label to compare foods and find ones lower in

saturated fat, trans fat, total fat, cholesterol, and calories. First,

you can compare and keep track of the actual number of grams

of saturated fat, trans fat, or total fat, or the number of milligrams

of cholesterol, or the number of calories in different foods.

Second, you can use the Percent Daily Value listing for all but

trans fat.* This tells you how much each serving of the item supplies of the day’s recommended intake of various nutrients for

people who do not have a cholesterol problem and whose diet

therefore allows slightly more saturated fat and cholesterol than

the TLC diet. Even though not all the percents shown are exactly

right for TLC, you can still use them to compare foods. As a

guide, if you want to consume less of a nutrient (such as saturated

fat, cholesterol, or sodium), choose foods with a lower percent

daily value—5 percent or less is low. If you want to consume more

of a nutrient (such as fiber), seek foods with a higher Percent Daily

Value—20 percent or more is high.

Also get in the habit of checking an item’s ingredients list. It will tell

you what the product contains—including any added nutrients,

fats, or sugars. Ingredients are listed in descending order of

amount by weight.

If you’re trying to lose weight, pay particular attention to the 

number of servings per container. It’s all too easy to mistake the

calories per serving for the product’s total calories.

See Box 13 for information on how to decipher the special content

claims on food labels.

* The label will not show a Percent Daily Value for trans fat because a

recommended daily intake has not been set for trans fat.
25Treating High LDL Cholesterol

Start

here

Check

calories

Limit 

these

Get enough

of these

Quick guide to

% Daily Value

● 5% or less

is low

● 20% or more

is high

Read the Label

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size 1 Tbsp (14g)

Servings Per Container 80

Amount Per Serving

Calories 50 Calories from Fat 50

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 6g 9%

Saturated Fat 1.5g 8%

Trans Fat 0g 

Cholesterol 0mg 2%

Sodium 55mg 2%

Total Carbohydrate 0g 0%

Dietary Fiber 0g 0%

Sugar 0g

Protein 0g

Vitamin A 10% Calcium 0%

Vitamin E 8% Iron 0%

Vitamin C 0%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie 

diet. Your Daily Values may be higher or lower 

depending on your calorie needs.

Calories 2,000 2,500

Total Fat Less than 65g 80g

Sat. Fat Less than 20g 25g

Cholesterol Less than 300mg 300mg

Sodium Less than 2,400mg 2,400mg

Total Carbohydrate 300g 375g

Dietary Fiber 25g 30g

Light Margarine
26Your Guide to Lowering Your Cholesterol With Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes

Learn the Label Language

BOX 13

Food labels should be your new best friends. They’ll help you find

heart healthy products. Various terms are used—from “free” to

“lean.” Some terms are used interchangeably—”little,” “few,” and

“low source of” are used to mean “low.” Here is a translation of

what some of the terms mean—look for these terms when 

choosing heart healthy items:

Phrase What It Means

For Fats, Cholesterol, 

Sodium, and Meat:

Fat free Less than 0.5 grams per serving

Low saturated fat 1 gram or less per serving

Low fat 3 grams or less per serving

Reduced fat At least 25 percent less fat per serving 

than the regular version

Light (in fat) Half the fat of the regular version

Low cholesterol 20 milligrams or less per serving, and 

2 grams or less of saturated fat per serving

Low sodium 140 milligrams or less per serving

Lean Less than 10 grams of fat, 4.5 grams or 

less of saturated fat, and less than 

95 milligrams of cholesterol per serving

Extra Lean Less than 5 grams of fat, less than 

2 grams of saturated fat, and less than 

95 milligrams of cholesterol per serving

For Calories:

Calorie free Less than 5 calories per serving

Low calorie 40 calories or less per serving

Reduced or less calories At least 25 percent fewer calories per 

serving than the regular version

Light or lite Half the fat or a third of the calories of 

the regular version
There are two main types of fiber—insoluble and soluble (also 

called “viscous”). Both have health benefits but only soluble 

fiber reduces the risk of heart disease. It does that by helping 

to lower LDL cholesterol.

The difference between the two types is how they go through 

the digestive tract. Insoluble fiber goes through it largely 

undissolved. It’s also called “roughage” and helps the colon 

function properly. It’s found in many whole-grain foods, fruits 

(with the skins), vegetables, and legumes (such as dry beans 

and peas).

Soluble fiber dissolves into a gel-like substance in the intestines.

The substance helps to block cholesterol and fats from being 

absorbed through the wall of the intestines into the blood

stream. Research shows that people who increased their soluble

fiber intake by 5–10 grams each day had about a 5 percent 

drop in their LDL cholesterol. TLC recommends that you get 

at least 5–10 grams of soluble fiber a day—and, preferably, 

10–25 grams a day, which will lower your LDL even more.

Box 14 offers some easy ways to increase your intake of soluble

fiber. Box 15 shows good sources of soluble fiber and gives 

you the amount of soluble and total fiber in those foods.

One caution: Increase the amount of fiber in your diet gradually,

rather than all at once. A sudden increase in fiber can cause 

abdominal cramps or bloating.

■ Plant Stanols and Sterols

Plant stanols and sterols occur naturally in small amounts in 

many plants. Those used in food products are taken from 

soybean and tall pine-tree oils. When combined with a small 

amount of canola oil, the product is used in various foods.

As with soluble fiber, plant stanols and sterols help block the 

absorption of cholesterol from the digestive tract, which helps 

to lower LDL—without affecting HDL or triglycerides. Studies 

show that a daily intake of about 2 grams of either stanols or 

sterols reduces LDL cholesterol by about 5–15 percent—often 

within weeks.

27Treating High LDL Cholesterol
28Your Guide to Lowering Your Cholesterol With Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes

Stanols and sterols are added to certain margarines and some 

other foods, such as a special type of orange juice. But remember

that foods with stanols/sterols are not calorie-free. If you use 

these products, you may need to offset the calories by cutting 

back elsewhere.

■ Other Dietary Factors

The following dietary factors may not affect LDL levels but you

should be aware of their relationship to heart health:

Omega-3 Fatty Acids—Omega-3 fats are found in some fatty 

fish and in some plant sources, such as walnuts, canola and 

soybean oils, and flaxseed. They do not affect LDL levels but 

may help protect the heart in other ways. In some studies, people 

who ate fish had a reduced death rate from heart disease. It is 

possible that this is related to the effects of omega-3 fats, which 

may help prevent blood clots from forming and inflammation 

from affecting artery walls. Omega-3 fats also may reduce the 

risk for heart rhythm problems and, at high doses, reduce 

triglyceride levels. Studies have suggested that omega-3 fats 

reduce the risk for heart attack and death from heart disease for

those who already have heart disease.

Based on what is now known, try to have about two fish meals 

every week. Fish high in omega-3 fats are salmon, tuna (even 

Fiber Solutions

How can you add soluble fiber to your diet? It’s easy. Here are

some quick tips:

● Choose hot or cold breakfast cereals such as oatmeal and 

oatbran that have 3–4 grams of fiber per serving.

● Add a banana, peach, apple, berries, or other fruit to your cereal.

● Eat the whole fruit instead of, or in addition to, drinking its 

juice—one orange has six times more fiber than one 4-ounce 

glass of orange juice.

● Add black, kidney, white, pinto, or other beans, or lentils 

to salads.

BOX 14
29Treating High LDL Cholesterol

Fiber Really Counts

BOX 15

Here are some soluble fiber and total fiber amounts (in grams) for

various foods:

Soluble Total

Whole-grain cereals—1/2 cup cooked (except where noted)

● Barley 1 4

● Oatmeal 1 2

● Oatbran 1 3

● Psyllium seeds, ground (1 Tbsp) 5 6

Fruit—1 medium (except where noted)

● Apple 1 4

● Banana 1 3

● Blackberries (1/2 cup) 1 4

● Citrus (orange, grapefruit) 2 2–3

● Nectarine 1 2

● Peach 1 2

● Pear 2 4

● Plum 1 1.5

● Prunes (1/4 cup) 1.5 3

Legumes—1/2 cup cooked

● Black beans 2 5.5

● Kidney beans 3 6

● Lima beans 3.5 6.5

● Navy beans 2 6

● Northern beans 1.5 5.5

● Pinto beans 2 7

● Lentils (yellow, green, orange) 1 8

● Chick peas 1 6

● Black-eyed peas 1 5.5

Vegetables—1/2 cup cooked

● Broccoli 1 1.5

● Brussels sprouts 3 4.5

● Carrots 1 2.5
canned), and mackerel. Pregnant women and nursing mothers 

should avoid some types of fish and eat types lower in mercury.

See the Web site www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/admehg3.html for 

more information.

Sodium—Studies have found that reducing the amount of 

sodium in your diet lowers blood pressure. High blood 

pressure is a major risk factor for heart disease.

Sodium is one component of table salt (sodium chloride). But 

it’s found in other forms too. So read food labels. Some low 

fat foods are high in sodium—use the label to choose the lower 

sodium options. Vegetables and fruits are naturally low in 

sodium—and low in saturated fat and calories. For more on 

salt, see Box 16.

Instead of using salt or added fat to make foods tastier, use 

spices and herbs. Box 17 on page 32 tells how to spice up meals.

■ Alcohol—You may have heard that moderate drinking reduces 

the risk for heart disease. Small amounts of alcohol may help 

protect some persons.

However, drinking too much alcohol can have serious health 

consequences. It can damage the heart and liver, and contribute

to both high blood pressure and high triglycerides.

If you don’t drink now, don’t start. If you do drink, have no 

more than one drink a day for women and two a day for men.

Box 18 on page 33 gives some examples of what one drink equals.

And don’t forget that alcohol has calories. If you need to lose 

weight, you will need to be especially careful about how many 

alcoholic beverages you drink.

Foods To Choose for TLC

The TLC diet encourages you to choose a variety of nutritious and

tasty foods. Choose fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat or nonfat dairy products, fish, poultry without the skin, and, in moderate

amounts, lean meats. Box 19 (pages 34–35) shows the foods to

choose and the number of servings by food group. Box 20 on page

30Your Guide to Lowering Your Cholesterol With Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes
31Treating High LDL Cholesterol

A Word About Salt

Salt is sodium chloride. If you have high blood pressure, your doctor may tell you to cut down on salt and other forms of sodium.

All Americans should limit their sodium intake to no more than

2,300 milligrams of sodium (about 1 teaspoon of salt) a day—that

includes all sodium consumed, whether added in cooking or at the

table, or already present in food products. In fact, processed

foods account for most of the salt and sodium Americans consume.

You may be surprised at which products

have sodium. 

They include soy sauce, seasoned salts, 

monosodium glutamate (MSG), baking soda,

and 

some antacids. Be sure to read food labels

to 

choose products lower in sodium.

Fresh fruits and vegetables are naturally low

in 

sodium. But canned fruits and vegetables

BOX 16

36 gives you information on carbohydrates in your diet, and information about fats is provided in Box 10 (pages 20–21).

A Word About Fruits and Vegetables

Eating more fruits and other low-fat foods is a good way to cut

down on saturated fat. Fresh fruits offer great taste and variety—

and, as a bonus, they require little or no preparation. Dried fruits

can be carried with you, even in the car, and make a handy snack—

try mixing raisins with nuts. One caution: If you’re watching your

calories, you may need to limit your intake of dried fruits and nuts.

A serving of dried fruits is only 1/4 cup.
32Your Guide to Lowering Your Cholesterol With Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes

Spice It Up!

BOX 17

Less salt? Less fat? Don’t worry. You can make your mealtimes

tasty by using spices and herbs. Here are some guidelines on

what goes best with what:

For Meat, Poultry, and Fish 

Beef Bay leaf, marjoram, nutmeg, onion, pepper, sage,

thyme

Lamb Curry powder, garlic, rosemary, mint 

Pork Garlic, onion, sage, pepper, oregano

Veal Bay leaf, curry powder, ginger, marjoram, oregano

Chicken Ginger, marjoram, oregano, paprika, poultry 

seasoning, rosemary, sage, tarragon, thyme

Fish Curry powder, dill, dry mustard, lemon juice, 

marjoram, paprika, pepper 

For Vegetables

Carrots Cinnamon, cloves, marjoram, nutmeg, 

rosemary, sage 

Corn Cumin, curry powder, onion, paprika, parsley 

Green beans Dill, curry powder, lemon juice, marjoram, 

oregano, tarragon, thyme 

Greens Onion, pepper 

Peas Ginger, marjoram, onion, parsley, sage 

Potatoes Dill, garlic, onion, paprika, parsley, sage 

Summer Cloves, curry powder, marjoram, nutmeg, 

squash rosemary, sage 

Winter squash Cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, onion 

Tomatoes Basil, bay leaf, dill, marjoram, onion, oregano, 

parsley, pepper

Spice It Up!
33Treating High LDL Cholesterol

A Drink Equals

If you drink alcoholic beverages, do so in moderation. Women

should have no more than one alcoholic drink a day and men no

more than two. Here’s what counts as one drink—along 

with the calorie content in case you need to lose weight:

● 12 ounces of beer—150 calories

● 5 ounces of wine—100 calories

● 11/2 ounces of 80-proof hard liquor—100 calories

BOX 18
34Your Guide to Lowering Your Cholesterol With Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes

The TLC Diet calls for a variety of foods that are low in saturated

fat, trans fat, and cholesterol but high in taste. It is not a deprivation diet. It can satisfy your taste buds as much as your heart.

Here’s the breakdown of the TLC diet by food groups (see Box 33

on page 55 for a guide to serving sizes):

Breads/Cereals/ 6 or more servings a day—adjust to

Grains calorie needs

Foods in this group are high in complex 

carbohydrates (see Box 20 on page 36) and

fiber. They are usually low in saturated fat, 

cholesterol, and total fat. 

Whole-grain breads and cereals, pasta, rice, 

potatoes, low-fat crackers, and low-fat cookies

Vegetables/ 3–5 servings a day

Dry Beans/Peas

These are important sources of vitamins, 

fiber, and other nutrients. Dry beans/peas are

fiber-rich and good sources of plant protein.

Fresh, frozen, or canned—without added fat,

sauce, or salt

Fruits 2–4 servings a day

These are important sources of vitamins, 

fiber, and other nutrients.

Fresh, frozen, canned, dried—without 

added sugar

Dairy Products 2–3 servings a day—fat free or low fat 

(for example, 1% milk)

These foods provide as much or more 

calcium and protein than whole milk 

dairy products—but with little or no 

saturated fat.

Fat-free or low-fat milk, buttermilk, yogurt, 

sour cream, cream cheese, low-fat cheese 

(with no more than 3 grams of fat per ounce,

such as low-fat cottage cheese)

Eggs 2 or fewer yolks per week—including 

yolks in baked goods and in cooked

or processed foods.

Yolks are high in dietary cholesterol. Egg 

whites or egg substitutes have no cholesterol and less calories than whole eggs. 

BOX 19

Eating Well With TLC
35Treating High LDL Cholesterol

Meat/Poultry/Fish 5 or less ounces a day

Poultry without skin and fish are lower in 

saturated fat. Lean cuts of meat have less 

fat and are rich sources of protein and iron. 

Be sure to trim any fat from meat and 

remove skin from poultry before cooking.

Lean cuts of beef include sirloin tip, round 

steak, and rump roast; extra lean hamburger;

cold cuts made with lean meat or soy protein;

lean cuts of pork are center cut ham, loin 

chops, and pork tenderloin 

Strictly limit organ meats, such as brain, liver,

and kidneys—they are high in cholesterol.

Eat shrimp only occasionally—it is moderately

high in cholesterol.

Fats/Oils Amount depends on daily calorie level

Nuts are high in calories and fat, but have 

mostly unsaturated fat. Nuts can be eaten 

in moderation on the TLC diet—be sure the 

amount you eat fits your calorie intake.

Unsaturated vegetable oils that are high in 

unsaturated fat (such as canola, corn, olive, 

safflower, and soybean); soft or liquid margarines (the first ingredient on the food label 

should be unsaturated liquid vegetable oil, 

rather than hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oil) and vegetable oil spreads; salad

dressings; seeds; nuts.

Choose products that are labeled “lowsaturated fat,” which equals 1 gram of 

saturated fat per serving.

Diet Options:

Stanol/sterol– Specially labeled margarines and orange 

containing food juice

products (see

pages 27–28)

Soluble fiber Barley, oats, psyllium, apples, bananas, 

berries, citrus fruits, nectarines, peaches, 

pears, plums, prunes, broccoli, brussels 

sprouts, carrots, dry beans, peas, soy 

products (such as tofu, miso)
36Your Guide to Lowering Your Cholesterol With Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes

CARBS—Good, Bad, or What?

“Carbs,” or carbohydrates, seem to be making a lot of news these

days. Are they good or bad—in fact, what are they?

They’re your body’s main source of energy. They include fibers,

starches, and sugars—in short, everything from bagels to rice to

pineapples to lima beans. Even yogurt has carbohydrates. But they

can be broken down into two main types—complex and simple.

Complex carbohydrates are just that—they have a more complex

chemical structure than simple carbohydrates. Complex carbohydrates include starches and fiber. Examples are cereals, pastas,

rice, vegetables, and fruits. Many are low in calories and high in

fiber. They’re a key part of a healthy eating plan.

Simple carbohydrates are sugars and include candy and other

sweets. They tend to be high in calories and low in nutrients. 

So reducing the amount of simple sugars and sugar-containing

beverages in your diet can help you cut down on calories and 

lose weight.

Some diets tout a “low carb” solution to weight gain. But the key

to weight management is really calories, not which foods they

come from. As with other sources of calories (fats and proteins),

carbohydrates make you gain weight if you eat more calories than

you use up.

BOX 20
37Treating High LDL Cholesterol

Eating more fruits and vegetables has another benefit too: It will

make your diet richer in fiber, vitamins (such as the antioxidants C,

E, and beta-carotene), and minerals. As a further plus, fresh fruits

and vegetables are low in sodium.

What About Dessert?

The TLC diet lets you have moderate amounts of sweets and lowsaturated fat desserts. Box 21 offers some suggestions for healthy

snacks and desserts.

Cooking With TLC

It’s not just what you eat but how you prepare food that matters. Box

22 (pages 39–40) offers advice on cooking methods to keep meals low

in saturated fat. The box also gives tips on how to make recipes healthier.

Eating Out With TLC

You can eat out in restaurants and go to parties while on the TLC

diet. Box 23 (page 41) gives you some tips for staying on TLC at

restaurants and social events.

Becoming Physically Active

Becoming physically active is another key part of the TLC Program

—it’s a step that has many benefits.

Lack of physical activity is a major risk factor for heart disease. It

affects your risk of heart disease both on its own and by its effects

on other major risk factors. Regular physical activity can help you

manage your weight and, in that way, help lower your LDL. It also

can help raise HDL and lower triglycerides, improve the fitness of

your heart and lungs, and lower blood pressure. And it can reduce

your risk for developing diabetes or, if you already have the condition, lessen your need for insulin. Other benefits of regular physical

activity are listed in Box 24 (page 42).

You don’t have to run marathons to become physically active. In

fact, if you haven’t been active, the key to success is starting slowly

and gradually increasing your effort. For instance, start by taking a

walk during breaks at work and gradually lengthen your walks or

increase your pace.

If you have heart disease or high blood pressure, or if you are a man

over 40 or a woman over 50 who is planning to be very active, you
38Your Guide to Lowering Your Cholesterol With Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes

TLC Snacks and Treats

Eating the TLC way doesn’t mean depriving yourself of snacks

and treats. Try these low-saturated fat munchies and desserts—

but keep track of the calories:

Snacks

● Fresh or frozen fruits

● Fresh vegetables

● Pretzels

● Popcorn (air popped or cooked in small amounts of vegetable 

oil and without added butter or salt)

● Low-fat or fat-free crackers (such as animal crackers, fig and 

other fruit bars, ginger snaps, and molasses cookies)

● Graham crackers

● Rye crisp

● Melba toast

● Bread sticks

● Bagels

● English muffins

● Ready-to-eat cereals

Desserts and sweets

● Fresh or frozen fruits

● Low-fat or fat-free fruit yogurt

● Frozen low-fat or fat-free yogurt

● Low-fat ice cream

● Fruit ices

● Sherbet

● Angel food cake

● Jello

● Baked goods, such as cookies, cakes, and pies with pie crusts, 

made with unsaturated oil or soft margarines, egg whites or 

egg substitutes, and fat-free milk

● Candies with little or no fat, such as hard candy, gumdrops, 

jelly beans, and candy corn

BOX 21
39Treating High LDL Cholesterol

How to Make Heart 

Healthy Meals

BOX 22

Eating heart healthy meals doesn’t mean giving up on taste. Here

are some tips on how to make “health” a special ingredient in 

your recipes:

Cooking Methods

● Use low-fat methods and remember not to add butter or highfat sauces—Bake, broil, microwave, roast, steam, poach, lightly

stir fry or sauté in cooking spray, small amount of vegetable oil, 

or reduced sodium broth, grill seafood, chicken, or vegetables.

● Use a nonstick (without added fat) or regular (with small 

amount of fat) pan.

● Chill soups and stews for several hours and remove congealed fat.

● Limit salt in preparing stews, soups, and other dishes—use 

spices and herbs to make dishes tasty.

Milk/Cream/Sour Cream

● Cook with low-fat (1-percent fat) or fat-free types of milk or of 

evaporated milk, instead of whole milk or cream.

● Instead of sour cream, blend 1 cup low-fat, unsalted cottage 

cheese with 1 tablespoon fat-free milk and 2 tablespoons 

lemon juice, or substitute fat-free or low-fat sour cream or yogurt.

Spices/Flavorings

● Use a variety of herbs and spices in place of salt (see Box 17

on page 32).

● Use low-sodium bouillon and broths, instead of regular bouillons and broths.

● Use a small amount of skinless smoked turkey breast instead of

fatback to lower fat content but keep taste.

● Use skinless chicken thighs, instead of neck bones.

Oils/Butter

● Use cooking oil spray to lower fat and calories.

● Use a small amount of vegetable oil, instead of lard, butter, or 

other fats that are hard at room temperature.

● In general, diet margarines are not well suited for baking—

instead, to cut saturated fat, use regular soft margarine made 

with vegetable oil.

● Choose margarine that lists liquid vegetable oil as the first 

ingredient on the food label and is low in saturated fat and low 

in or free of trans fat.
40Your Guide to Lowering Your Cholesterol With Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes

Eggs

● In baking or cooking, use three egg whites and one egg yolk 

instead of two whole eggs, or two egg whites or 1/4 cup of egg 

substitute instead of one whole egg.

Meats and Poultry

● Choose a lean cut of meat and remove any visible fat.

● Remove skin from chicken and other poultry before cooking.

● Try replacing beef with turkey in many recipes.

Sandwiches and Salads

● In salads and sandwiches, use fat-free or low-fat dressing, 

yogurt, or mayonnaise, instead of regular versions.

● To make a salad dressing, use equal parts water and vinegar, 

and half as much oil.

● Garnish salads with fruits and vegetables.

Soups and Stews

● Remove fat from homemade broths, soups, and stews by 

preparing them ahead and chilling them. Before reheating the 

dish, lift off the hardened fat that formed at the surface. If you 

don’t have time to chill the dish, float a few ice cubes on the 

surface of the warm liquid to harden the fat. Then remove and 

discard the fat.

● Use cooking spray, water, or stock to sauté onion for flavoring 

stews, soups, and sauces.

Breads

● To make muffins, quick breads, and biscuits, use no more than 

1–2 tablespoons of fat for each cup of flour.

● When making muffins or quick breads, use three ripe, very 

well-mashed bananas, instead of 1/2 cup butter or oil. Or 

substitute a cup of applesauce for a cup of butter, margarine, 

oil, or shortening—you’ll get less saturated fat and fewer calories.

Desserts

● To make a pie crust, use only 1/2 cup margarine for every 2 cups of 

flour.

● For chocolate desserts, use 3 tablespoons of cocoa, instead of 

1 ounce of baking chocolate. If fat is needed to replace that in 

chocolate, add 1 tablespoon or less of vegetable oil.

● To make cakes and soft-drop cookies, use no more than 

2 tablespoons of fat for each cup of flour.

BOX 22 (continued)
41Treating High LDL Cholesterol

Eating Right When Eating Out

BOX 23

You can eat out without falling off the TLC diet, whether at a

restaurant or a social event. When in a restaurant, don’t hesitate

to make special requests. Restaurants are used to such orders.

At a social event, choose carefully but enjoy fully. Here are the tips:

At restaurants

● Choose entrees, potatoes, and vegetables prepared without 

sauces, cheese, or butter—or ask for sauces to be put on 

the side.

● Eat a small portion of meat—fill up on vegetables.

● Avoid vegetable and salad toppings, such as chopped eggs, 

crumbled bacon, and cheese—or tell the waiter you don’t want 

these items in the dish.

● Ask for soft margarine instead of butter—and use it sparingly.

● Select foods which are steamed, garden fresh, broiled, baked, 

roasted, poached, and lightly sautéed or stir fried.

● At Chinese restaurants, look for items that are steamed, jum 

(poached), kow (roasted), or shu (barbecued). Ask for steamed 

rice and no MSG.

● At Italian restaurants, look for red sauces, primavera (no cream),

piccata (lemon), sun-dried tomatoes, crushed tomatoes, lightly 

sautéed, or grilled.

● At Mexican restaurants, look for spicy chicken, rice and black 

beans, salsa or picante, or soft corn tortillas.

● If you order pizza, try a vegetable topping, instead of meat or 

extra cheese—or, ask for half the usual amount of cheese.

● At fast food restaurants, order salads, grilled chicken 

sandwiches with no breading, regular-size hamburgers, or roast

beef sandwiches.

At social events

● If it’s a buffet, look at all the offerings before you start filling your

plate—and select mostly low-fat items. Take smaller servings of

higher fat foods.

● At potluck dinners, bring a low-fat dish—that way, you’ll have at

least one food you’re sure you can eat.

● At parties, sit away from the food table to avoid temptation.

● Tell hosts that you’re on a cholesterol-lowering diet and ask if 

low-fat foods can be included on the menu.
42Your Guide to Lowering Your Cholesterol With Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes

Benefits of Regular Physical

Activity

Regular physical activity is good for you in many ways in addition

to helping you raise HDL and lower LDL:

● Physical activity is good for your heart.

● Your weight is much easier to control when you are active.

● Physical activity can boost your ability to make other 

improvements in lifestyle such as diet changes.

● You’ll feel and look better when you’re physically active.

● You’ll feel more confident when you are active.

● Physical activity is a great way to burn off steam and stress and

helps you beat the blues.

● You’ll have more energy.

● You can share physical activities with 

friends and family.

● Physical activity can be lots of fun.

BOX 24
43Treating High LDL Cholesterol

should check with your doctor before starting your physical activity

program.

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, try to get at least 30 minutes

of a moderate-intensity activity such as brisk walking on most, and

preferably all, days of the week. You can do the activity all at once

or break it up into shorter periods of at least 10 minutes each.

Moderate-intensity activities include playing golf (walking the

course, instead of riding in a cart), dancing, bowling, bicycling 

(5 miles in 30 minutes), as well as gardening and house cleaning.

More intense activities include jogging, swimming, doing aerobics,

or playing basketball, football, soccer, racquetball, or tennis. Box 25

offers tips on how to become physically active. Box 26 shows how

many calories you burn with different activities. Box 27 (page 46)

gives guidelines on how to avoid injury as you become physically active.

Maintaining a Healthy Weight.

Being overweight or obese increases your chances for having high

triglycerides, a low HDL, and a high LDL. You’re also more likely

to develop high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, some cancers, and other serious health problems. If you have excess weight

around your waist, you’re more likely to develop the metabolic 

syndrome (see pages 70–72).

Losing your extra weight reduces these risks

and improves your cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

If you are overweight and have a high

cholesterol, you’ll need to get your

LDL and your weight under control

by changing your diet and increasing your physical activity. At the

start of the TLC program, your

main focus will be on lowering

LDL toward the goal level 

(see pages 6–12) by making

changes such as reducing 

saturated fat and calories and

increasing fiber, which could

also help you lose weight.
44Your Guide to Lowering Your Cholesterol With Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes

Getting Active

BOX 25

You don’t have to train like a marathon runner to get the benefits

of physical activity. If you’re new to physical activity, start slowly

and build gradually. Here’s how:

Beginning Activity

Try to increase standing activities and special chores such as

painting a room, pushing a stroller or wheelchair, doing yard work,

ironing, cooking, or playing a musical instrument.

Light Activity

As you become more able to do a physical activity, try something

light, such as walking slowly (a 24-minute mile),* garage work, 

carpentry, house cleaning, child care, golf, sailing, or recreational

table tennis.

Moderate–Intensity Activity

Now you can try walking a 15-minute mile,* weeding and hoeing a

garden, cycling, skiing, playing tennis, or dancing.

High–Intensity Activity

You’re set to try walking a 10-minute mile,* walking uphill with a

load, playing basketball or soccer/kick ball, or climbing.

* If you are walking for physical activity, use a pedometer to keep

track of how many steps you take a day, and gradually increase

the number of steps. 
45Treating High LDL Cholesterol

A Handy Guide to Calories

Burned in Common Activities

BOX 26

Calories Burned 

Activity Per 30 Minutes*

Walking (leisurely), 2 miles per hour 85

Walking (brisk), 4 miles per hour 170

Gardening 135

Raking leaves 145

Dancing 190

Bicycling (leisurely), 10 miles per hour 205

Swimming laps, medium level 240

Jogging, 5 miles per hour 275

* For a healthy150-pound person. A lighter person burns fewer calories; 

a heavier person burns more.

Less Vigorous, 

More Time

More Vigorous, 

Less Time

Each of these activities burns approximately 150 calories:

Example of Moderate Amounts of Physical Activity

Common Chores

Washing and waxing 

a car for 45–60 

minutes

Washing windows or 

floors for 45–60 

minutes

Gardening for 30–45 

minutes

Wheeling self in for 

wheelchair 30–40 

minutes

Pushing a stroller 

11/2 miles in 

30 minutes

Raking leaves for 

30 minutes

Shoveling snow for 

15 minutes

Stair walking for 

15 minutes

Sports Activities

Playing volleyball for 

45–60 minutes

Playing touch football for 

45 minutes

Walking 11/2 miles in 35 

minutes (20 minutes/mile)

Basketball (shooting baskets) 

for 30 minutes

Bicycling 5 miles in 30 minutes

Dancing fast (social) for 30 

minutes

Walking 2 miles in 30 minutes 

(15 minutes/mile)

Water aerobics for 30 minutes

Swimming laps for 20 minutes

Basketball (playing game) 

for 15–20 minutes

Bicycling 4 miles in 15 

minutes

Jumping rope for 15 minutes

Running 11/2 miles in 15 

minutes (10 minutes/mile)
46Your Guide to Lowering Your Cholesterol With Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes

Safe Moves

BOX 27

Here are some guidelines to keep in mind as you become 

physically active—they’ll help you avoid injury:

● Go slow. Before each activity session, allow a 5-minute period 

of slow movement to give your muscles a chance to warm up. 

At the end of your activity, take another 5 minutes to cool down

with a slower, less energetic pace.

● Listen to your body. A certain amount of stiffness is normal 

at first. But if you hurt a joint or pull a muscle, stop the activity 

for several days to avoid more serious injury. Rest and overthe-counter painkillers can heal most minor muscle and joint 

problems.

● Check the weather report. Dress appropriately for hot, 

humid days and for cold days. In all weather, drink lots of water

before, during, and after physical activity.

● Pay attention to warning signals. While physical activity 

can strengthen your heart, some types of activity may worsen 

existing heart problems. Warning signals include sudden 

dizziness, cold sweat, paleness, fainting, or pain or pressure in 

your upper body just after doing a physical activity. If you notice

any of these signs, stop and call 9-1-1 at once.

● Use caution. If you’re concerned about the safety of your 

surroundings, pair up with a buddy for outdoor activities. This 

is a good family activity too. Walk, bike, or jog during daylight 

hours—or try a walk at the mall.

● Keep at it. Unless you have to stop your activity for a health 

reason, stick with it. If you feel like giving up because you think 

you’re not going as fast or as far as you should, set smaller, 

short-term goals. If you become bored, try doing a different 

activity, or do an activity with a friend. Switching activities is 

called “cross training.” If you always walk on a treadmill, try a 

bicycle instead. If you’re tired of aerobic videos, sign up for a 

boxing class. Plan your week so you switch back and forth.
47Treating High LDL Cholesterol

After about 2–3 months of TLC, if you are still overweight, you

may need to focus additional attention on losing weight as you

approach your LDL goal, especially if you have the metabolic 

syndrome (see Box 8 on page 17).

Finding out if you need to lose weight involves a two-step process:

First, your doctor may already have checked your body mass index,

or BMI, which relates your weight to your height. The table in 

Box 28 gives BMIs for various heights and weights. A BMI of

18.5–24.9 indicates a normal weight; a BMI of 25–29.9 is overweight; while a BMI of 30 or higher is obese.

Second, your doctor may have taken your waist measurement.

A waist measurement of 35 inches or more for women or 40 inches 

or more for men is one of the factors involved in the metabolic 

syndrome (see pages 70–72). It also indicates an increased risk of

obesity-related conditions, such as heart disease.

Check with your doctor and find out what a healthy weight is for

you. If you need to lose pounds, do so gradually—a reasonable and

safe weight loss is 1 to 2 pounds a week. You don’t have to reach

your ideal weight to reap health benefits. If you are overweight, 

losing even 10 percent of your current weight lowers your risk for

heart disease and other health problems.

Box 29 offers pointers on things you can do to help you lose weight.

Follow the TLC diet, watch your calorie intake, and increase your

physical activity. The TLC diet is low in saturated fat and cholesterol—which fights heart disease—and calls for only enough calories

for you to reach or maintain a healthy weight. If you need to lose

weight, you’ll have to take in fewer calories than you burn—this

includes calories used by the body in normal functions and in physical

activities. To lose 1 pound a week, you need to eat 500 fewer calories

a day than you use up. In general, eating plans containing 1,000–1,200

calories will help most women lose weight safely, while eating plans

with 1,200–1,600 calories a day are suitable for men. Boxes 30 and 31

offer tips on how to reduce your calorie intake. If you need to lose

weight, be aware that low fat and low calorie are not the same (see

Box 32 page 53). This confusion may lead you to overeat when you

eat low-fat because you may think you’re getting a calorie-free ride.

Unfortunately, there are no such rides. To be sure you avoid this

error, use the food label to compare products’ calorie totals.
48Your Guide to Lowering Your Cholesterol With Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes

Find Your BMI

Find your height in the left-hand column and your weight* in one of

the columns to the right. The number at the top of that column will

be your BMI.

BOX 28

Find Your BMI

BODY MASS INDEX

What Does Your BMI Mean?

Categories:

Normal weight: BMI = 18.5–24.9.

Overweight: BMI = 25–29.9.

Obese: BMI = 30 or greater. 

Source: Clinical Guidelines on the Identification, Evaluation, and

Treatment of Overweight and Obesity in Adults: The Evidence Report;

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, in cooperation with the

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases;

National Institutes of Health; NIH Publication 98-4083; June 1998.

4’10” 100 105 110 115 119 124 129 134 138 143 148

5’0” 107 112 118 123 128 133 138 143 148 153 158

5’1” 111 116 122 127 132 137 143 148 153 158 164

5’3” 118 124 130 135 141 146 152 158 163 169 175

5’5” 126 132 138 144 150 156 162 168 174 180 186

5’7” 134 140 146 153 159 166 172 178 185 191 198

5’9” 142 149 155 162 169 176 182 189 196 203 209

5’11” 150 157 165 172 179 186 193 200 208 215 222

6’1” 159 166 174 182 189 197 204 212 219 227 235

6’3” 168 176 184 192 200 208 216 224 232 240 248

* Weight is measured with underwear but not shoes.

BMI

21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31
49Treating High LDL Cholesterol

Losing Weight—and Gaining

Heart Health

Losing weight is important for lowering your LDL and for improving

your overall good health. Even a small weight loss helps protect

your heart.

There are no quick fixes for losing weight. You need to change

your lifestyle—follow the TLC diet, reduce calories, and become

physically active. Your goal is not just to lose extra weight but to

keep it off.

Losing weight isn’t easy—in fact, it’s a challenge. Here are some

pointers to help you reach and keep your weight goal—for more

tips, check the advice on pages 73–77 about how to change

behaviors:

● Change the way you eat. You can eat less without feeling 

deprived. Here are three ways to decrease calories without 

decreasing satisfaction:

1. Studies show that it takes at least 15 minutes for your brain 

to get the message that you’ve eaten. So slow down. Take 

time to savor your food.

2. Eat more vegetables and fruits—they give a sense of 

fullness without adding a lot of calories.

3. Use smaller plates. Your servings will seem bigger.

● Beware of eating triggers. You probably have come to 

associate certain behaviors with eating. For example, you may 

reach for the potato chips when you watch TV. Or you may 

overeat when dining with friends. These behaviors trigger your 

eating. Try to change the behavior in order to avoid the eating. 

Watch TV while riding an exercise bike. Do an activity with 

friends other than dining out—go to a museum, for example.

● Don’t skip meals. Skipping or delaying meals can make you 

very hungry—causing you to overeat.

BOX 29
50Your Guide to Lowering Your Cholesterol With Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes

How To Lower Calories 

on TLC

When it comes to weight loss, there’s only one equation that

works: Eat less and be more physically active. The tips below 

will help you scale back your calorie intake—also check out the

cooking methods in Box 22 on pages 39–40.

● Drink at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water or other 

noncaloric beverages each day to help you feel full.

● If you get hungry, eat some fresh or steamed vegetables.

● Start a meal with a broth-based soup.

● Choose very lean forms of protein—they are low in calories and

fat. For example: 

1 ounce of turkey breast or chicken with the skin removed, 

1 ounce of fish fillets (flounder, sole, scrod, cod, haddock, or 

halibut), 1 ounce of canned tuna in water, 3/4 cup of fat-free 

or low-fat cottage cheese, 2 egg whites or 1/4 cup of egg 

substitute, 1 ounce of fat-free cheese, and 1/2 cup of cooked 

beans (black beans, kidney beans, chickpeas, or lentils).

● Have lean beef, veal, lamb, or pork only 1–2 times a week.

● Go for fruits—they have less than 100 calories per serving. 

For example: 1 small apple, banana, orange, or nectarine; 

1 medium fresh peach; 1 kiwi; 1/2 grapefruit; 1/2 mango; 1 cup 

of fresh berries (strawberries, raspberries, or blueberries); 

1 cup of fresh melon cubes; 1/8 of a honeydew melon; 4 ounces

of unsweetened juice; 4 teaspoons jelly or jam.

● Use reduced calorie or “lite” bread—2 slices are about 80 calories,

while regular breads have about twice as many calories.

● Shave calories when preparing and serving foods. Examples 

are: Try a little salsa on a baked potato instead of butter; use 

reduced fat Italian dressing on salads instead of the regular 

version.

BOX 30
51Treating High LDL Cholesterol

Choose the Foods That Help

You Lose

BOX 31

Learn to pick lower calorie versions of foods. But to lose weight

and stay healthy, don’t forget to get enough vitamins and minerals.

Some foods provide most of their calories from sugar or fat and

give few, if any, vitamins and minerals. Also, women in particular

should be sure to have enough calcium—1,000–1,500 milligrams 

a day (through food or supplements). So choose foods wisely and

lose weight well.

Here are some examples:

Instead of Replace With

Cheddar, swiss, jack cheese Reduced–calorie cheese, low–calorie

processed cheeses

American cheese Fat-free American cheese or other 

types of fat-free cheeses

Ramen noodles Rice or noodles (such as spaghetti, 

macaroni)

Pasta with white sauce Pasta with red sauce (marinara)

(alfredo)

Pasta with cheese sauce Pasta with vegetables (primavera)

Granola Bran flakes, crispy rice cereals

Cooked grits or oatmeal

Whole grains (such as couscous, 

barley, bulgur)

Reduced-fat granola

Creamed soups Canned broth-based soups

Gravy (homemade with fat Gravy mixes made with water or

and/or milk) homemade with the fat skimmed off

and fat-free milk included

Avocado on sandwiches Cucumber slices or lettuce leaves

Guacamole dip or refried Salsa

beans with lard
52Your Guide to Lowering Your Cholesterol With Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes

BOX 31 (continued)

Instead of Replace With

Cold cuts or lunch meats Low-fat cold cuts (95-97% 

(such as bologna, salami, fat-free lunch meats, low-fat 

liverwurst) processed meats)

Hot dogs (regular) Lower fat hot dogs

Bacon or sausage Canadian bacon or lean ham

Regular ground beef Extra lean ground beef (such as 

ground round or ground turkey)

Beef (chuck, rib, brisket) Beef (round, loin and trimmed of 

external fat)

Croissants, brioches Hard French rolls or soft “brown ’n 

serve” rolls

Donuts, sweet rolls, muffins, English muffins, bagels, reduced-fat 

scones, or pastries or fat-free, muffins or scones

Party crackers Low-fat crackers, saltine or soda 

crackers (lower in sodium)

Cake (pound, chocolate, Cake (angel food, white, gingeryellow) bread) 

Cookies Reduced-fat or fat-free, low-calorie 

cookies (graham crackers, ginger 

snaps, fig bars—compare calorie 

levels)

Nuts Air-popped or light microwave 

popcorn, fruits, vegetables

Ice cream Sorbet, sherbet, fat-free frozen 

yogurt, frozen fruit, or chocolate 

pudding bars

Custard or puddings made Puddings made with skim milk

with whole milk

Choose the Foods That Help You Lose
53Treating High LDL Cholesterol

When It Comes to Weight

Loss—Fat Matters But

Calories Count

Reducing the amount of saturated fat in your diet is important to

lower a high LDL-cholesterol level. Eating less total fat can help

reduce saturated fat, and also can help limit your overall calorie

intake, since many high-fat foods are also high in calories. But 

eating fat-free or reduced-fat foods isn’t always the answer.

A calorie is a calorie, whatever its source. Whether it comes from

fat, or carbohydrates, or protein, it’s still a calorie. So eating

reduced-fat or fat-free foods won’t necessarily lower your calorie

intake. Some of these foods have as much or more calories than

the regular versions. Further, you may be tempted to eat more of

them because you think they’re healthy. But if you eat twice as

many fat-free cookies because you think they’re healthy, you’ll

wind up taking in more calories. For example, 2 tablespoons of

reduced-fat peanut butter have 187 calories—the same amount of

regular peanut butter has 191 calories. So the reduced-fat version

will cost you virtually the same number of calories. Similarly, half a

cup of nonfat vanilla frozen yogurt has 100 calories—the same

amount of regular whole milk vanilla frozen yogurt has 104 calories.

If you’re trying to lose weight, be sure you count calories.

BOX 32
54Your Guide to Lowering Your Cholesterol With Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes

Another thing to keep an eye on is portion size. Studies show that

portion sizes at restaurants and at home have gotten bigger in the

past couple of decades. And most people eat what’s on their plate.

But portion size is not the same as serving size. A portion is the

amount of a food you choose to eat at one sitting. A serving is a

measure used to describe the amount of food recommended from

each food group, and the size of a serving is shown on the Nutrition

Facts label on the food package. Be sure to read the food label to

learn how many servings are in a product—some items may appear

to be sold as single portions but actually have more than one 

serving. See Box 33 for a guide to serving sizes. One trick to shrink

your portion size at home is to use smaller plates. In a restaurant,

try sharing the meal or taking part of it home.

You may want to talk with your doctor about getting help to lose

weight. Various resources are available, including dietitians, who can

help you better plan meals, and organized weight loss programs. Box

34 on page 56 offers tips on how to choose a weight loss program.

Sample Menus for TLC

Now that you have learned the basics of the TLC Program—the

TLC diet, physical activity, and weight management—let’s get down

to the nitty gritty of what to eat for a whole day’s meals. Sample

menus to get you started eating the TLC way are shown on pages

58–69. There are four kinds of menus: for traditional Americanstyle, Southern-style, Mexican American-style, and Asian Americanstyle foods. The menus come in four calorie

levels: 2,500 and 1,800 calories for men and

women, respectively, who need to lower

their LDL cholesterol but do not need to

lose weight, and 1,600 and 1,200 calories

to help also with weight loss. Talk with

your doctor about the calorie

level that is right for you.
55Treating High LDL Cholesterol

A Guide to Serving Sizes

The chart below shows what the serving sizes are for different

food groups. Also, check out the Portion Distortion Interactive

Quiz at: http://hin.nhlbi.nih.gov/portion/.

BOX 33

Serving Sizes for Food Groups

1 Serving Looks Like...

Grains

1 cup of cereal flakes = fist

1 pancake = compact disc

1/2 cup of cooked rice, pasta, 

or potato = 1/2 baseball

1 slice of bread = cassette 

tape

1 piece of cornbread = bar 

of soap

1 Serving Looks Like...

Milk

11/2 oz cheese = 4 stacked 

dice or 2 cheese slices

1/2 cup of ice cream =

1/2 baseball

Fats/Oils

1 tsp margarine or 

spreads = 1 die

1 Serving Looks Like...

Lean Meat and Beans

3 oz meat, fish, and poultry =

deck of cards

3 oz grilled/baked fish = 

checkbook

2 Tbsp peanut butter = 

ping pong ball

1 Serving Looks Like...

Fruit and Vegetables

1 med fruit = baseball

1/2 cup of fresh fruit = 

1/2 baseball

1/4 cup of raisins = large egg

1 cup of salad greens = 

baseball

1 baked potato = fist
56Your Guide to Lowering Your Cholesterol With Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes

Choosing a Weight Loss

Program

Some people lose weight on their own, but others prefer the support given by a structured weight loss program. If you’re 

considering joining such a program, be sure you know its total

cost and its history of success—what percentage of those who

start the program complete it; what percentage have problems or

side effects (and what those are); and the average weight loss

among those who finish the program. Look for a program that:

● Helps you lose weight slowly. Lose about 1 to 2 pounds a 

week. Quick fixes may be appealing but they do not last.

● Incorporates the TLC diet and offers flexible food choices. The 

program also should make allowances for your food likes and 

dislikes, as well as your lifestyle.

● Offers counseling to help you change your eating habits. It 

should help teach you how to change your eating and lifestyle 

habits—for the rest of your life. For instance, does the program 

give you tips on how to cope with times when you slip back 

into old habits?

● Gives you long-term strategies to keep the weight off. Such 

strategies may include having you set goals for types of 

physical activity, keep a weight and physical activity diary, vary 

types of or locations for physical activity, create a support 

system of friends/family/coworkers, or develop workout partners.

BOX 34
57Treating High LDL Cholesterol

● Can help you keep weight off. Pick a program that will enhance

your personal skills and give you techniques to keep you from 

regaining the lost weight.

● Has a professional staff. Qualified professionals who can help 

you lose weight safely and effectively include nutritionists and 

registered dietitians, doctors, nurses, psychologists, and 

exercise physiologists.
58Your Guide to Lowering Your Cholesterol With Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes

Breakfast

Oatmeal (1 cup)

Fat-free milk (1 cup)

Raisins (1/4 cup)

English muffin (1 medium)

Soft margarine (2 tsp)

Jelly (1 Tbsp)

Honeydew melon (1 cup)

Orange juice, calcium fortified 

(1 cup)

Coffee (1 cup) with fat-free 

milk (2 Tbsp)

Lunch

Roast beef sandwich

Whole-wheat bun (1 medium)

Roast beef, lean (2 oz)

Swiss cheese, low fat (1 oz slice)

Romaine lettuce (2 leaves)

Tomato (2 medium slices)

Mustard (2 tsp)

Pasta salad (1 cup)

Pasta noodles (3/4 cup)

Mixed vegetables (1/4 cup)

Olive oil (2 tsp)

Apple (1 medium)

Iced tea, unsweetened (1 cup)

Dinner

Orange roughy (3 oz) cooked with 

olive oil (2 tsp)

Parmesan cheese (1 Tbsp)

Rice* (11/2 cup)

Corn kernels (1/2 cup)

Soft margarine (1 tsp)

Broccoli (1/2 cup)

Soft margarine (1 tsp)

Roll (1 small)

Soft margarine (1 tsp)

Strawberries (1 cup) topped with 

low-fat frozen yogurt (1/2 cup)

Fat-free milk (1 cup)

Snack

Popcorn (2 cups) cooked with 

canola oil (1 Tbsp)

Peaches, canned in water (1 cup)

Water (1 cup)

TLC Sample Menu 

Traditional American Cuisine 

2,500 Calories

Nutrient Analysis

Calories

Cholesterol (mg)

Fiber (g)

Soluble (g)

Sodium (mg)

Carbohydrates, % calories

Total fat, % calories

Saturated fat, % calories 

Monounsaturated fat, % calories

Polyunsaturated fat, % calories

Protein, % calories

2,523

139

32

10

1,800

57

No salt is added in recipe preparation or as 

seasoning.

* For a higher fat alternative, substitute 1/3 cup of unsalted peanuts, chopped (to sprinkle 

on the frozen yogurt) for 1 cup of the rice.

*Higher Fat Alternative

Total fat, % calories 34

28

6

14

6

17
59Treating High LDL Cholesterol

Breakfast

Oatmeal (1 cup)

Fat-free milk (1 cup)

Raisins (1/4 cup)

Honeydew melon (1 cup)

Orange juice, calcium fortified 

(1 cup)

Coffee (1 cup) with fat-free milk 

(2 Tbsp)

Lunch

Roast beef sandwich

Whole-wheat bun (1 medium)

Roast beef, lean (2 oz)

Swiss cheese, low fat (1 oz slice)

Romaine lettuce (2 leaves)

Tomato (2 medium slices)

Mustard (2 tsp)

Pasta salad (1/2 cup)

Pasta noodles (1/4 cup)

Mixed vegetables (1/4 cup)

Olive oil (1 tsp)

Apple (1 medium)

Iced tea, unsweetened (1 cup)

Dinner

Orange roughy (2 oz) cooked with

olive oil (2 tsp)

Parmesan cheese (1 Tbsp)

Rice* (1 cup)

Soft margarine (1 tsp)

Broccoli (1/2 cup)

Soft margarine (1 tsp)

Strawberries (1 cup) topped with 

low-fat frozen yogurt (1/2 cup)

Water (1 cup)

Snack

Popcorn (2 cups) cooked with 

canola oil (1 Tbsp)

Peaches, canned in water (1 cup)

Water (1 cup)

TLC Sample Menu 

Traditional American Cuisine 

1,800 Calories

Nutrient Analysis

Calories

Cholesterol (mg)

Fiber (g)

Soluble (g)

Sodium (mg)

Carbohydrates, % calories

Total fat, % calories

Saturated fat, % calories 

Monounsaturated fat, % calories

Polyunsaturated fat, % calories

Protein, % calories

1,795

115

28

9

1,128

57

No salt is added in recipe preparation or as 

seasoning.

* For a higher fat alternative, substitute 2 Tbsp of unsalted peanuts, chopped (to sprinkle 

on the frozen yogurt) for 1/2 cup of the rice.

*Higher Fat Alternative

Total fat, % calories 33

27

6

14

6

19
60Your Guide to Lowering Your Cholesterol With Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes

Breakfast

Bran cereal (3/4 cup)

Banana (1 medium)

Fat-free milk (1 cup)

Biscuit, made with canola oil 

(1 medium)

Jelly (1 Tbsp)

Soft margarine (2 tsp)

Honeydew melon (1 cup)

Orange juice, calcium fortified 

(1 cup)

Coffee (1 cup) with fat-free 

milk (2 Tbsp)

Lunch

Chicken breast (3 oz), sautéed 

with canola oil (2 tsp)

Collard greens (1/2 cup)

Chicken broth, low sodium 

(1 Tbsp)

Black-eyed peas (1/2 cup)

Corn on the cob* (1 medium)

Soft margarine (1 tsp)

Rice, cooked (1 cup)

Soft margarine (1 tsp)

Fruit cocktail, canned in water 

(1 cup)

Iced tea, unsweetened (1 cup)

Dinner

Catfish (3 oz) coated with 

flour and baked with 

canola oil (1/2 Tbsp)

Sweet potato (1 medium)

Soft margarine (2 tsp)

Spinach (1/2 cup)

Vegetable broth, low sodium

(2 Tbsp)

Corn muffin (1 medium), made

with fat-free milk and egg 

substitute

Soft margarine (1 tsp)

Watermelon (1 cup)

Iced tea, unsweetened (1 cup)

Snack

Bagel (1 medium)

Peanut butter, reduced fat, 

unsalted (1 Tbsp)

Fat-free milk (1 cup)

TLC Sample Menu 

Southern Cuisine 

2,500 Calories

Nutrient Analysis

Calories

Cholesterol (mg)

Fiber (g)

Soluble (g)

Sodium (mg)

Carbohydrates, % calories

Total fat, % calories

Saturated fat, % calories 

Monounsaturated fat, % calories

Polyunsaturated fat, % calories

Protein, % calories

2,504

158

52

10

2,146

59

No salt is added in recipe preparation or as 

seasoning.

* For a higher fat alternative, substitute 1/4 cup of unsalted almond slices for the corn on 

the cob. Sprinkle the almonds on the rice.

*Higher Fat Alternative

Total fat, % calories 34

30

5

13

9

18
61Treating High LDL Cholesterol

Breakfast

Bran cereal (3/4 cup)

Banana (1 medium)

Fat-free milk (1 cup)

Biscuit, low sodium and made 

with canola oil (1 medium)

Jelly (1 Tbsp)

Soft margarine (1 tsp)

Honeydew melon (1/2 cup)

Coffee (1 cup) with fat-free 

milk (2 Tbsp)

Lunch

Chicken breast (2 oz) cooked 

with canola oil (2 tsp)

Corn on the cob* (1 medium)

Soft margarine (1 tsp)

Collard greens (1/2 cup)

Chicken broth, low sodium 

(1 Tbsp)

Rice, cooked (1/2 cup)

Fruit cocktail, canned in water 

(1 cup)

Iced tea, unsweetened (1 cup)

Dinner

Catfish (3 oz), coated with 

flour and baked with 

canola oil (1/2 Tbsp)

Sweet potato (1 medium)

Soft margarine (2 tsp)

Spinach (1/2 cup)

Vegetable broth, low sodium

(2 Tbsp)

Corn muffin (1 medium), made

with fat-free milk and egg 

substitute

Soft margarine (1 tsp)

Watermelon (1 cup)

Iced tea, unsweetened (1 cup)

Snack

Graham crackers (4 large)

Peanut butter, reduced fat, 

unsalted (1 Tbsp)

Fat-free milk (1/2 cup)

TLC Sample Menu 

Southern Cuisine 

1,800 Calories

Nutrient Analysis

Calories

Cholesterol (mg)

Fiber (g)

Soluble (g)

Sodium (mg)

Carbohydrates, % calories

Total fat, % calories

Saturated fat, % calories 

Monounsaturated fat, % calories

Polyunsaturated fat, % calories

Protein, % calories

1,823

131

43

8

1,676

59

No salt is added in recipe preparation or as 

seasoning.

* For a higher fat alternative, substitute 1/4 cup of unsalted almond slices for the corn on 

the cob. Sprinkle the almonds on the rice.

*Higher Fat Alternative

Total fat, % calories 35

30

5

14

8

18
62Your Guide to Lowering Your Cholesterol With Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes

Breakfast

Bean Tortilla

Corn tortilla (2 medium)

Pinto beans* (1/2 cup)

Onion (1/4 cup), tomato, 

chopped (1/4 cup)

Jalapeno pepper (1 medium)

Sauté with canola oil (1 tsp)

Papaya† (1 medium)

Orange Juice, calcium fortified (1 cup)

Coffee (1 cup) with fat-free milk 

(2 Tbsp)

Lunch

Stir-fried beef

Sirloin steak (3 oz)

Garlic, minced (1 tsp)

Onion, chopped (1/4 cup)

Tomato, chopped (1/4 cup)

Potato, diced (1/4 cup)

Salsa (1/4 cup)

Olive oil (2 tsp)

Mexican rice

Rice, cooked (1 cup)

Onion, chopped (1/4 cup)

Tomato, chopped (1/4 cup)

Jalapeno pepper (1 medium)

Carrots, diced (1/4 cup)

Cilantro (2 Tbsp)

Olive oil (1 Tbsp)

Mango (1 medium)

Blended fruit drink (1 cup)

Fat-free milk (1 cup)

Lunch (continued)

Mango, diced (1/4 cup)

Banana, sliced (1/4 cup)

Water (1/4 cup)

Dinner

Chicken fajita

Corn tortilla (2 medium)

Chicken breast, baked (3 oz)

Onion, chopped (2 Tbsp)

Green pepper, chopped (1/4 cup)

Garlic, minced (1 tsp)

Salsa (2 Tbsp)

Canola oil (2 tsp)

Avocado salad

Romaine lettuce (1 cup)

Avocado slices, dark skin, 

California type (1 small)

Tomato, sliced (1/4 cup)

Onion, chopped (2 Tbsp)

Sour cream, low fat (11/2 Tbsp)

Rice pudding with raisins (3/4 cup)

Water (1 cup)

Snack

Plain yogurt, fat free, no sugar 

added (1 cup)

Mixed with peaches, canned in

water (1/2 cup)

Water (1 cup)

TLC Sample Menu 

Mexican-American Cuisine 

2,500 Calories

Nutrient Analysis

Calories

Cholesterol (mg)

Fiber (g)

Soluble (g)

Sodium (mg)

Carbohydrates, % calories

Total fat, % calories

Saturated fat, % calories 

Monounsaturated fat, % calories

Polyunsaturated fat, % calories

Protein, % calories

2,535

158

48

17

2,118

58

No salt is added in recipe preparation or as 

seasoning.

* For a higher fat alternative, cook beans with canola oil (1 Tbsp).

† If using higher fat alternative, reduce papaya serving to 1/2 medium fruit because canola 

oil adds extra calories.

*Higher Fat Alternative

Total fat, % calories 33

28

5

17

5

17
63Treating High LDL Cholesterol

Breakfast

Bean Tortilla

Corn tortilla (1 medium)

Pinto beans (1/4 cup)

Onion (2 Tbsp), tomato, 

chopped (2 Tbsp) 

Jalapeno pepper (1 medium)

Sauté with canola oil (1 tsp)

Papaya* (1 medium)

Orange juice, calcium fortified 

(1 cup)

Coffee (1 cup) with fat-free milk 

(2 Tbsp)

Lunch

Stir-fried Beef

Sirloin steak (2 oz)

Garlic, minced (1 tsp)

Onion, chopped (1/4 cup)

Tomato, chopped (1/4 cup)

Potato, diced† (1/4 cup)

Salsa (1/4 cup)

Olive oil (11/2 tsp)

Mexican rice (1/2 cup)

Rice, cooked (1/2 cup)

Onion, chopped (2 Tbsp)

Tomato, chopped (2 Tbsp)

Jalapeno pepper (1 medium)

Carrots, diced (2 Tbsp)

Cilantro (1 Tbsp)

Olive oil (2 tsp)

Mango (1 medium)

Lunch (continued)

Blended fruit drink (1 cup)

Fat free milk (1 cup)

Mango, diced (1/4 cup)

Banana, sliced (1/4 cup)

Water (1/4 cup)

Dinner

Chicken fajita

Corn tortilla (1 medium)

Chicken breast, baked (2 oz)

Onion, chopped (2 Tbsp)

Green pepper, chopped (2 Tbsp)

Garlic, minced (1 tsp)

Salsa (11/2 Tbsp)

Canola oil (1 tsp)

Avocado salad

Romaine lettuce (1 cup)

Avocado slices, dark skin, 

California type (1/2 small)

Tomato, sliced (1/4 cup)

Onion, chopped (2 Tbsp)

Sour cream, low-fat (11/2 Tbsp)

Rice pudding with raisins (1/2 cup)

Water (1 cup)

Snack

Plain yogurt, fat-free, no sugar 

added (1 cup) 

Mixed with peaches, canned in

water (1/2 cup)

Water (1 cup)

TLC Sample Menu 

Mexican-American Cuisine 

1,800 Calories

Nutrient Analysis

Calories

Cholesterol (mg)

Fiber (g)

Soluble (g)

Sodium (mg)

Carbohydrates, % calories

Total fat, % calories

Saturated fat, % calories 

Monounsaturated fat, % calories

Polyunsaturated fat, % calories

Protein, % calories

1,821

110

35

13

1,739

61

No salt is added in recipe preparation or as 

seasoning.

* If using higher fat alternative, eliminate papaya because the peanuts add extra calories.

† For a higher fat alternative, substitute 1/2 cup of unsalted peanut halves for the potato.

*Higher Fat Alternative

Total fat, % calories 34

26

4

15

4

17
64Your Guide to Lowering Your Cholesterol With Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes

Breakfast

Scrambled egg whites (3/4 cup liquid

egg substitute)

Cooked with fat-free cooking 

spray*

English muffin (1 whole) 

Soft margarine (2 tsp)

Jam (1 Tbsp)

Strawberries (1 cup)

Orange juice, calcium fortified†

(1 cup)

Coffee (1 cup) with fat-free milk 

(2 Tbsp)

Lunch

Tofu Vegetable stir-fry

Tofu (3 oz)

Mushrooms (1/2 cup)

Onion (1/4 cup)

Carrots (1/2 cup)

Swiss chard (1 cup)

Garlic, minced (2 Tbsp)

Peanut oil (1 Tbsp)

Soy sauce, low sodium (21/2 tsp)

Rice, cooked (1 cup)

Vegetable egg roll, baked 

(1 medium)

Orange (1 medium)

Green Tea (1 cup)

Dinner

Beef stir-fry

Beef tenderloin (3 oz)

Soybeans, cooked (1/4 cup)

Broccoli, cut in large pieces 

(1/2 cup)

Carrots, sliced (1/2 cup)

Peanut oil (1 Tbsp)

Soy sauce, low sodium (2 tsp)

Rice, cooked (1 cup)

Watermelon (1 cup)

Almond cookies (2 cookies)

Fat-free milk (1 cup)

Snack

Chinese noodles, soft (1 cup)

Peanut oil (2 tsp)

Banana (1 medium)

Green tea (1 cup)

TLC Sample Menu 

Asian Cuisine 

2,500 Calories

Nutrient Analysis

Calories

Cholesterol (mg)

Fiber (g)

Soluble (g)

Sodium (mg)

Carbohydrates, % calories

Total fat, % calories

Saturated fat, % calories 

Monounsaturated fat, % calories

Polyunsaturated fat, % calories

Protein, % calories

2,519

108

37

15

2,268

57

No salt is added in recipe preparation or as 

seasoning.

* For a higher fat alternative, cook egg whites with 1 Tbsp of canola oil.

† If using higher fat alternative, eliminate orange juice because canola oil adds calories.

*Higher Fat Alternative

Total fat, % calories 32

28

5

11

9

18
65Treating High LDL Cholesterol

Breakfast

Scrambled egg whites (1/2 cup liquid

egg substitute)

Cooked with fat-free cooking 

spray*

English muffin (1 whole)

Soft margarine (2 tsp)

Jam (1 Tbsp)

Strawberries (1 cup)

Orange juice, calcium fortified†

(1 cup)

Coffee (1 cup) with fat-free milk 

(2 Tbsp)

Lunch

Tofu Vegetable stir-fry

Tofu (3 oz)

Mushrooms (1/2 cup)

Onion (1/4 cup)

Carrots (1/2 cup)

Swiss chard (1/2 cup)

Garlic, minced (2 Tbsp)

Peanut oil (1 Tbsp)

Soy sauce, low sodium (21/2 tsp)

Rice, cooked (1/2 cup)

Orange (1 medium)

Green tea (1 cup)

Dinner

Beef stir-fry

Beef tenderloin (3 oz)

Soybeans, cooked (1/4 cup)

Broccoli, cut in large pieces 

(1/2 cup)

Peanut oil (1 Tbsp)

Soy sauce, low sodium (2 tsp)

Rice, cooked (1/2 cup)

Watermelon (1 cup)

Almond cookie (1 cookie)

Fat-free milk (1 cup)

Snack

Chinese noodles, soft (1/2 cup)

Peanut oil (1 tsp)

Green tea (1 cup)

TLC Sample Menu 

Asian Cuisine 

1,800 Calories

Nutrient Analysis

Calories

Cholesterol (mg)

Fiber (g)

Soluble (g)

Sodium (mg)

Carbohydrates, % calories

Total fat, % calories

Saturated fat, % calories 

Monounsaturated fat, % calories

Polyunsaturated fat, % calories

Protein, % calories

1,829

74

26

10

1,766

56

No salt is added in recipe preparation or as 

seasoning.

* For a higher fat alternative, cook egg whites with 1 Tbsp of canola oil.

† If using higher fat alternative, eliminate orange juice because canola oil adds extra calories.

*Higher Fat Alternative

Total fat, % calories 33

28

6

11

9

18
66Your Guide to Lowering Your Cholesterol With Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes

Traditional American Cuisine—Reduced Calories

Calories 1,247

Total carbohydrate, 58

% calories

Total fat, % calories 26

Saturated fat, % calories 7

Sodium, mg 1,043

Cholesterol, mg 96

Protein, % calories 19

Calories 1,613

Total carbohydrate, 55

% calories

Total fat, % calories 29

Saturated fat, % calories 8 

Sodium, mg 1,341

Cholesterol, mg 142

Protein, % calories 19

1,200 Calories 1,600 Calories

Breakfast

Whole wheat bread 1 med slice 1 med slice

Jelly, regular 2 tsp 2 tsp

Cereal, shredded wheat 1/2 cup 1 cup

Milk, 1% 1 cup 1 cup

Orange juice 3/4 cup 3/4 cup

Coffee, regular 1 cup 1 cup with 1 oz 

of 1% milk

Lunch

Roast beef sandwich: 

Whole wheat bread 2 med slices 2 med slices

Lean roast beef, unseasoned 2 oz 2 oz

American cheese, low fat and — 1 slice, 3/4 oz

low sodium

Lettuce 1 leaf 1 leaf

Tomato 3 med slices 3 med slices

Mayonnaise, low calorie 1 tsp 2 tsp

Apple 1 med 1 med

Water 1 cup 1 cup

Dinner

Salmon 2 oz edible 3 oz edible

Vegetable oil 11/2 tsp 11/2 tsp

Baked potato 3/4 med 3/4 med

Margarine 1 tsp 1 tsp

Green beans, seasoned, with margarine 1/2 cup 1/2 cup

Carrots, seasoned 1/2 cup —

Carrots, seasoned, with margarine — 1/2 cup

White dinner roll 1 small 1 med

Ice milk — 1/2 cup

Iced tea, unsweetened 1 cup 1 cup

Water 2 cup 2 cup

Snack

Popcorn 21/2 cup 21/2 cup

Margarine 3/4 tsp 1/2 tsp

Note: Calories have been rounded. No salt added in recipe preparation or as seasoning. 

* At these reduced calorie levels, the amount of saturated fat is low even if the percent of

calories from saturated fat is slightly over 7 percent. 

* *
67Treating High LDL Cholesterol

Southern Cuisine—Reduced Calories

1,200 Calories 1,600 Calories

Breakfast

Oatmeal, prepared with 1% milk, low fat 1/2 cup 1/2 cup

Milk 1%, low fat 1/2 cup 1/2 cup

English muffin — 1 med

Cream cheese, light, 18% fat — 1 Tbsp

Orange juice 1/2 cup 3/4 cup

Coffee 1 cup 1 cup

Milk 1%, low fat 1 oz 1 oz

Lunch

Baked chicken, without skin 2 oz 2 oz

Vegetable oil 1/2 tsp 1 tsp

Salad:

Lettuce 1/2 cup 1/2 cup

Tomato 1/2 cup 1/2 cup

Cucumber 1/2 cup 1/2 cup

Oil and vinegar dressing 1 tsp 2 tsp

White rice 1/4 cup 1/2 cup

Margarine, diet 1/2 tsp 1/2 tsp

Baking powder biscuit, prepared 1/2 small 1 small

with vegetable oil

Margarine 1 tsp 1 tsp

Water 1 cup 1 cup

Dinner

Lean roast beef 2 oz 3 oz

Onion 1/4 cup 1/4 cup

Beef gravy, water-based 1 Tbsp 1 Tbsp

Turnip greens 1/2 cup 1/2 cup

Margarine, diet 1/2 tsp 1/2 tsp

Sweet potato, baked 1 small 1 small

Margarine, diet 1/4 tsp 1/2 tsp

Ground cinnamon 1 tsp 1 tsp

Brown sugar 1 tsp 1 tsp

Corn bread prepared with 1/2 med slice 1/2 med slice

margarine, diet

Honeydew melon 1/8 med 1/4 med

Iced tea, sweetened with sugar 1 cup 1 cup

Snack

Saltine crackers, unsalted tops 4 crackers 4 crackers

Mozzarella cheese, part skim, low sodium 1 oz 1 oz

Calories 1,225

Total carbohydrate, 50

% calories

Total fat, % calories 31

Saturated fat, % calories 9

Sodium, mg 867

Cholesterol, mg 142

Protein, % calories 21

Calories 1,653

Total carbohydrate, 53

% calories

Total fat, % calories 28

Saturated fat, % calories 8

Sodium, mg 1,231

Cholesterol, mg 172 

Protein, % calories 20

Note: Calories have been rounded. No salt added in recipe preparation or as seasoning. 

* At these reduced calorie levels, the amount of saturated fat is low even if the percent of

calories from saturated fat is slightly over 7 percent. 

* *
68Your Guide to Lowering Your Cholesterol With Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes

Mexican-American Cuisine—Reduced Calories

1,200 Calories 1,600 Calories

Breakfast

Cantaloupe 1/2 cup 1 cup

Farina, prepared with 1% low-fat milk 1/2 cup 1/2 cup

White bread 1 slice 1 slice

Margarine 1 tsp 1 tsp

Jelly 1 tsp 1 tsp

Orange juice 3/4 cup 11/2 cup

Milk, 1%, low fat 1/2 cup 1/2 cup

Lunch

Beef enchilada:

Tortilla, corn 2 tortillas 2 tortillas

Lean roast beef 2 oz 21/2 oz

Vegetable oil 2/3 tsp 2/3 tsp

Onion 1 Tbsp 1 Tbsp

Tomato 4 Tbsp 4 Tbsp

Lettuce 1/2 cup 1/2 cup

Chili peppers 2 tsp 2 tsp

Refried beans, prepared with 1/4 cup 1/4 cup

vegetable oil

Carrots 5 sticks 5 sticks

Celery 6 sticks 6 sticks

Milk, 1%, low fat — 1/2 cup

Water 1 cup —

Dinner

Chicken taco:

Tortilla, corn 1 tortilla 1 tortilla

Chicken breast, without skin 1 oz 2 oz

Vegetable oil 2/3 tsp 2/3 tsp

Cheddar cheese, low fat and 1/2 oz 1 oz

low sodium

Guacamole 1 Tbsp 2 Tbsp

Salsa 1 Tbsp 1 Tbsp

Corn 1/2 cup 1/2 cup seasoned

with 1/2 tsp 

margarine

Spanish rice without meat 1/2 cup 1/2 cup

Banana 1/2 large 1 large

Coffee 1/2 cup 1 cup

Milk, 1%, low fat 1 oz 1 oz

Note: Calories have been rounded. No salt added in recipe preparation or as seasoning. 

* At these reduced calorie levels, the amount of saturated fat is low even if the percent of

calories from saturated fat is slightly over 7 percent. 

Calories 1,239

Total carbohydrate, 58

% calories

Total fat, % calories 26

Saturated fat, % calories 8

Sodium, mg 1,364

Cholesterol, mg 91

Protein, % calories 19

Calories 1,638

Total carbohydrate, 56

% calories

Total fat, % calories 27

Saturated fat, % calories 9

Sodium, mg 1,616

Cholesterol, mg 143 

Protein, % calories 20

* *
69Treating High LDL Cholesterol

Calories 1,220

Total carbohydrate, 55

% calories

Total fat, % calories 27

Saturated fat, % calories 8

Sodium, mg 1,043

Cholesterol, mg 117

Protein, % calories 21

Calories 1,609

Total carbohydrate, 56

% calories

Total fat, % calories 27

Saturated fat, % calories 8

Sodium, mg 1,296

Cholesterol, mg 148

Protein, % calories 20

Asian-American Cuisine—Reduced Calories

1,200 Calories 1,600 Calories

Breakfast

Banana 1 small 1 small

Whole-wheat bread 1 slice 2 slices

Margarine 1 tsp 1 tsp

Orange juice 3/4 cup 3/4 cup

Milk 1%, low fat 3/4 cup 3/4 cup

Lunch

Beef noodle soup, canned, low sodium 1/2 cup 1/2 cup

Chinese noodle and beef salad:

Beef roast 2 oz 3 oz

Peanut oil 1 tsp 11/2 tsp

Soy sauce, low sodium 1 tsp 1 tsp

Carrots 1/2 cup 1/2 cup

Zucchini 1/2 cup 1/2 cup

Onion 1/4 cup 1/4 cup

Chinese noodles, soft-type 1/4 cup 1/4 cup

Apple 1 med 1 med

Tea, unsweetened 1 cup 1 cup

Dinner

Pork stir-fry with vegetables:

Pork cutlet 2 oz 2 oz

Peanut oil 1 tsp 1 tsp

Soy sauce, low sodium 1 tsp 1 tsp

Broccoli 1/2 cup 1/2 cup

Carrots 1/2 cup 1 cup

Mushrooms 1/2 cup 1/4 cup

Steamed white rice 1/2 cup 1 cup

Tea, unsweetened 1 cup 1 cup

Snack

Almond cookies — 2 cookies

Milk 1%, low fat 3/4 cup 3/4 cup

Note: Calories have been rounded. No salt added in recipe preparation or as seasoning. 

* At these reduced calorie levels, the amount of saturated fat is low even if the percent of

calories from saturated fat is slightly over 7 percent. 

* *
70Your Guide to Lowering Your Cholesterol With Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes

If you have the metabolic syndrome, you have an increased risk for

heart disease. The syndrome isn’t a disease itself but a cluster of risk

factors for heart disease and other disorders, such as diabetes. One risk

factor alone increases your chance of developing heart disease—having

a group of them boosts your risk more. This is true even though some

of the factors in the metabolic syndrome may be at levels below those

for full-fledged heart disease risk factors. In fact, research indicates that

having the metabolic syndrome can raise your chance of developing

heart disease and diabetes even if your LDL cholesterol isn’t elevated.

Heredity can play a role in whether a person develops the metabolic

syndrome, but its underlying causes are abdominal obesity—too large a

waist—and physical inactivity. The metabolic syndrome also is related

to a condition called “insulin resistance”—which can lead to diabetes.

Insulin is a hormone that helps your

body convert glucose (sugar) in the

blood into energy. With insulin

resistance, the body cannot properly use the insulin it produces. As

more and more Americans have

become obese in recent years, the

problem of metabolic syndrome has

become more widespread. Today

about one-quarter of all 

adults in the United 

States have the metabolic syndrome.

The Metabolic Syndrome—

A Special Concern
71The Metabolic Syndrome—A Special Concern

If you have three or more of the following factors, you have the 

metabolic syndrome:

• Large waist measurement—35 inches or more for women, 

40 inches or more for men (this is also one of the measurements 

that determine if you need to lose weight)

• Triglyceride level of 150 mg/dL or higher

• HDL cholesterol of less than 50 mg/dL in women, 

less than 40 mg/dL in men

• Blood pressure of 130/85 mmHg or higher (either number counts 

as a raised blood pressure)

• Fasting blood sugar of 100 mg/dL or higher

If you have the metabolic syndrome, it is especially important for you to

follow the TLC Program. Lifestyle changes are the main treatment for

metabolic syndrome. TLC can help you reverse or reduce all of the

metabolic syndrome’s risk factors, which will reduce your risk of 

developing heart disease and diabetes.

Your first goal is to move toward getting your LDL under control.

Then you’ll focus on the risk factors of the metabolic syndrome.

See Box 8 on page 17 for the steps of treatment.

The key parts of the TLC Program for treating the metabolic 

syndrome are:

• Achieve a healthy weight (see pages 43–57)

• Become physically active (see pages 37–46) 

• Follow the TLC diet (see pages 19–41)

As was said earlier, the TLC diet calls for total fat to be 25–35 percent

of the day’s calories. Some experts recommend that people with the

metabolic syndrome should aim for the higher end of this range—

about 35 percent of calories from total fat. This is meant to keep 

carbohydrate consumption from being too high, which could further

raise triglycerides and lower HDL. Other experts hold that, since

weight loss is so important for treating the metabolic syndrome risk 

factors, a diet with less fat could be right for you if it helps you lose

weight. Whichever diet you follow, remember to choose complex 

carbohydrates rather than simple sugars (see Box 20 on page 36).

Some of the menus beginning on page 58 offer heart healthy options 

for having a higher fat intake on the TLC diet.
There are a couple of added points. First, if you have the metabolic 

syndrome and drink alcoholic beverages, it’s doubly important to do so

only in moderation. Drinking too many alcoholic beverages increases

the risk for elevated triglycerides and high blood pressure. Further, 

alcoholic beverages add extra calories. So drinking too much also can

add pounds. See page 30 for what “moderate drinking” means.

Second, the “don’t smoke” advice that goes for everyone applies especially to you if you have the metabolic syndrome. Smoking tends to

raise triglycerides and lower HDL. If you smoke, quitting can help

reduce your triglyceride level and raise your HDL.

If lifestyle changes do not sufficiently control the metabolic syndrome

risk factors, then drug therapy may be needed to manage one or more

of them. For instance, you may need medication to treat high blood

pressure, or elevated triglycerides and low HDL. Aspirin also may be

prescribed to help prevent blood clots.

All of these actions will help reduce your risk for heart disease.

72Your Guide to Lowering Your Cholesterol With Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes
73Learning To Live the TLC Way

Making lifestyle changes is never easy. But as you adopt the TLC

Program, keep your key goal in mind: Living healthier and longer

by lowering your cholesterol and other risk factors and reducing

your risk for heart disease.

This section offers guidance on how to make the needed lifestyle

changes. It also will describe how you can follow the TLC Program

with your family and friends. In fact, your family and friends also

can benefit from the program—it’s never too early or too late to

learn a heart healthy lifestyle. The key difference between your

efforts and theirs is that yours must be more intense because you

need to reverse a high cholesterol and/or other risk factors, not

merely prevent them.

Also, remember to work closely with your doctor, dietitian, or other

health care providers. Make them valuable members of your heart

health improvement team. They can help you learn how to eat

healthy, satisfying meals, find a weight loss program, or do physical

activities safely and effectively.

Keeping Track of Your Changes

A good way to begin making changes is to start a TLC diary. This

can be a diary of what you eat each day and other information, 

such as your physical activity and, if you need to lose pounds, your

weight. Box 35 is a sample food and activity diary. You can copy it

to record what you eat and what physical activity you do. But all it

takes is a small notebook. Use the diary before you start on TLC 

to see what you need to change, and while on TLC to see how you

are doing. Diaries help you keep on course and give you a boost by

tracking your progress. A diary also can help your doctor, dietitian,

or other health professional assess your progress.

If you are walking for physical activity, a pedometer is a good way

to keep track of your progress. It tells you how many steps you’ve

taken, so you can set a goal to increase your activity. Record your

progress in your TLC diary.

Learning To Live the TLC Way
74Your Guide to Lowering Your Cholesterol With Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes

Sample Food and Activity Diary

BOX 35

Use the sample diary below to record the foods you eat and the

physical activity you do each day of the week.

Weekly Food and Activity Diary

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Activity

Monday Tuesday Wednesday

Notes
75Learning To Live the TLC Way

Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday

Week of:
7

Your Guide to Lowering Your Cholesterol With Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes

Be SMART When You Start

When you start making changes, try using the “SMART” approach.

Whether it’s reducing saturated fat, adding more fruits and vegetables

to your meals, losing excess weight, or becoming more physically

active—it’s hard to change behaviors. But knowing how to

approach a change helps make the change possible. And that’s what

the “SMART” approach does. It sets you up for success. Using this

method, you set goals that are Specific, Measured, Appropriate,

Realistic, and Time-bound.

Start by setting specific goals. For instance, if you need to increase

your physical activity, saying you’ll “do more now and then” is

vague. It’s hard to achieve a vague goal. But be sure the goal is also

appropriate and realistic. For example, if you’re not physically

active, saying you’ll walk 3 miles a day may be too much just yet.

Instead, saying you’ll walk an extra 2,000 steps a day gives you a

specific aim—one that can be measured (using a pedometer), so you

know when you succeed—and one that is also realistic. Nothing

succeeds like success—so program yourself to be a winner.

Another key aspect of the SMART approach is to use those realistic,

smaller steps to lead you toward your larger goal. For instance, if

you’re trying to switch from whole milk to fat-free milk, start by

drinking 2-percent milk. Then, when you’ve achieved that change,

move to 1-percent milk, and finally to fat-free milk. With this

approach, you should stay motivated to make the entire journey.

Reward Yourself

Be sure to reward yourself for the progress you’ve made on TLC—

but not with food. As you start a new goal, offer yourself a promise

such as, “If I reach my goal this (day, week, month), I will treat

myself to a well deserved (fill in a nonfood reward).” Think of

something you want, such as a CD, a movie, or a massage. Or put

down a deposit on a larger reward.
77Learning To Live the TLC Way

Making TLC a Family Affair

It’s a good idea to talk about your plans for TLC with your spouse,

family, or friends—whoever can provide support or needs to understand why you’re changing your habits. They may even be able to

help in concrete ways. For example, your spouse can help you plan

heart healthier meals. In fact, you can follow the TLC program

with your family.

You can follow the TLC diet without making separate meals for you

and the rest of your family. The main difference between your diet

and your family’s is that yours has a lower intake of saturated fat

and cholesterol than theirs. So you’ll just eat less saturated fat and

cholesterol than they do, or smaller portions.

How does this work at mealtimes? One approach is to use “add

on’s”—heart healthy sauces or foods that can be added to dishes 

so others can meet their nutrition goals while you keep to yours.

Make salads and let everyone choose how much to add of nuts,

seeds, raisins, or fruit. Put low-fat salad dressing and sauces on the

side so others can have them.

Portion size is another way to share meals but remain on your TLC

diet. Take less of the main course, such as meat, and more of the

side dishes, such as vegetables.

At breakfast, top a whole grain English muffin with sugar-free 

preserves or jams, while others have a regular topping.

Family time should not mean only food. Physical activities also

can be done with family or friends. Walking with your family or 

a friend can be fun—buddying-up can keep the activity from 

becoming dull. You’ll also be sharing the heart health benefits.

Get your spouse to join a dance class with you. Invite your spouse 

or child or friend to play tennis with you regularly. Join a hiking 

or biking club. Start a softball team with family, neighbors, friends,

or coworkers. Your family and friends may have other ideas too.

Ask them and then get moving.
78Your Guide to Lowering Your Cholesterol With Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes

The TLC Program is a new way of living, not just a quick fix. So

don’t worry if you slip now and then. Don’t let a slip keep you

from reaching your health goals. Box 36 offers some advice about

how to get back on track if you slip.

The biggest step is getting started. After that, take encouragement

from your progress, and you’ll reach your goal—a lifetime of 

heart health.

A Final Note
79A Final Note

Getting Back on Track

You may slip from the TLC Program once in a while—not to worry.

The important part is getting back on track. Here’s how to do it:

● Ask yourself why you got off track. Did you eat the wrong 

foods at a party? Did you feel pressed for time and omit your 

physical activity? Find out what triggered your sidetrack and 

then get started again.

● Don’t worry about a slip. Everyone does it—especially when 

learning something new. Remember that changing your lifestyle

is a long-term process.

● See if you tried to do too much at once. Often, those 

starting a new lifestyle try to change too much at once. Slowly 

but surely is the best way to succeed.

● Break the process down into small steps. Remember, be a

SMART planner (see page 76)—set reachable goals and keep 

your sights on the big prize of improved heart health. 

● Write it down. Keep a food, physical activity, and weight diary.

Record the what, when, where, how much—this can help you 

find the problem. You may want to put down such details as 

where you are and how you feel when you’re eating the high 

saturated fat food or not doing your physical activity. It also can

help you come up with solutions. For 

instance, if you find you keep eating a 

high saturated fat snack food while 

watching TV, you could keep a 

substitute healthier snack handy 

for those times.

● Celebrate success. Treat 

yourself to a reward—one

that fits the TLC Program.

BOX 36
80Your Guide to Lowering Your Cholesterol With Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) Health

Information Center is a service of the NHLBI of the National

Institutes of Health. The NHLBI Health Information Center provides information to health professionals, patients, and the public

about the treatment, diagnosis, and prevention of heart, lung, and

blood diseases and sleep disorders. For more information, contact:

NHLBI Health Information Center

P.O. Box 30105

Bethesda, MD 20824-0105

Phone: 301-592-8573

TTY: 240-629-3255

Fax: 301-592-8563

Web site: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov

And check out these online resources:

Cholesterol

Live Healthier, Live Longer www.nhlbi.nih.gov/chd 

Weight

Aim for a Healthy Weight www.nhlbi.nih.gov/subsites/index.htm

- then click on Healthy Weight

Nutrition

U.S. Department of Agriculture www.nutrition.gov 

Physical Activity

The President’s Council on www.fitness.gov

Physical Fitness and Sports

High Blood Pressure

Your Guide to Lowering www.nhlbi.nih.gov/hbp 

High Blood Pressure

Smoking Cessation

Tobacco Information and www.cdc.gov/tobacco/index.htm 

Prevention Source—TIPS

Diabetes

National Diabetes Information http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/

Clearinghouse

To Learn More
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applicable public laws enacted by Congress

since 1964, no person in the United States shall,

on the grounds of race, color, national origin,

handicap, or age, be excluded from participation

in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to

discrimination under any program or activity (or,

on the basis of sex, with respect to any education program or activity) receiving Federal financial assistance. In addition, Executive Order

11141 prohibits discrimination on the basis of

age by contractors and subcontractors in the

performance of Federal contracts, and Executive

Order 11246 states that no federally funded contractor may discriminate against any employee or

applicant for employment because of race, color,

religion, sex, or national origin. Therefore, the

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute must be

operated in compliance with these laws and

Executive Orders.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

National Institutes of Health

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

NIH Publication No. 06-5235

December 2005

ISBN 1-933236-07-8

National Cholesterol

Education Program

NHLBI Obesity

Education Initiative

Developed and produced by:

Coordinated by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

In cooperation with: