While you are in the hospital, you will be on a low-salt diet. After you return home and your wounds have healed, check with your doctor before beginning a program to reduce fat and cholesterol in your diet. The National Institutes of Health recommend limiting total fat to less than 30 percent of total calories and limiting saturated fat to less than 8-10 percent of total calories as step one and less than 7 percent for the next step. A decrease in the total amount of fat and a change in the type of fat you eat will help lower the cholesterol in your blood. Most people can significantly reduce their fat intake without having to count fat grams.
Saturated fats are solid at room temperature and tend to raise blood cholesterol.
Hydrogenation is a process that changes an oil into a solid fat such as stick margarine or vegetable shortening. Some unsaturated fats may help reduce blood cholesterol levels, but they contain a lot of calories and should be consumed in moderation. Cholesterol is a waxy substance produced by our body. It is also found in many foods we eat, but only in animal products. Major sources include egg yolks, organ meats, meat, shellfish, poultry and dairy products.