Reducing Cholesterol in Aging Adults

Delicious Recipes to Help Reduce Cholesterol for Your Aging Adult

Seniors with high cholesterol should avoid certain ingredients to protect their heart health. Try these delicious cholesterol-reducing recipes instead.
High cholesterol levels put seniors at greater risk of heart disease and stroke. According to the American Heart Association (heart.org), it’s important for seniors to take steps to keep their cholesterol levels under control. Seniors and their caregivers can reduce cholesterol by eating healthily. There are many cholesterol-reducing recipes that seniors enjoy. Add them to a senior’s menu to help protect their heart and health.

Delicious Dessert: Baked Fruit

Livestrong (livestrong.com) recommends serving fruit as a heart healthy dessert because it is naturally sweet and low in cholesterol. To dress up regular fruit, bake it. For example, try WebMd’s baked apple recipe (Download it here as a PDF):
Ingredients
• 1 Apple • 1 Tbsp Softened Butter • Pinch of Cinnamon • 1 Tbsp Maple Syrup • A spoonful of chopped pecans or walnuts
Directions
1. Remove the apple’s core and bottom so it stands up stably.
2. Stir remaining ingredients together into a filling.
3. Spoon filling into apple center.
4. Wrap with plastic wrap and microwave 3 minutes or until tender.
(Recipe from WebMD)

Or try this Delicious Chicken Pot Pie recipe (PDF Download)

Low-Cholesterol Snacks

• Pre-cut Veggies like carrot or celery sticks are filling, nutritious, and low in cholesterol
• Handheld fruits like apples, oranges, or grapes are convenient and tasty
• Nuts and seeds are easy to snack on, fibrous, and reduce cholesterol
• Fruit-based muffins or bread satisfy cravings for soft baked goods minus all the shortening

Ingredients to Avoid for Heart Health

• Red meat
• Dairy
• Packaged Baked Goods
• High Sodium Snacks
• Shortening
• Vegetable Oils
• Fried Foods

Cholesterol-Friendly Ingredients

• Fish
• Lean Meats
• Fruits
• Olive Oil
• Nuts
• Legumes
• Oats

HOME CARE TIP:
Giving up favorite foods can upset seniors. Your senior may be more likely to accept a new diet if you continue to prepare preferred meals but use low-cholesterol ingredient substitutes.