If you are looking to naturally lower cholesterol with food, try a low cholesterol diet or a low-fat diet, both of which will help you to control your cholesterol levels.

This is not hard to do given the variety of foods obtainable today. Even quick to prepare low cholesterol foods are available for those of us who do not have time to prepare the more time-consuming meals. When you are at the supermarket or grocery store be sure to check the food labels. Food labeling can be your first indication of what packaged foods actually contain, and in many countries such labeling has become mandatory.

As you are likely already aware, diet plays a very significant role in lowering your cholesterol. Food manufacturers are becoming savvy too. They realize that if their foods are not nutritionally acceptable then their sales will be adversely affected. Consumers are better educated than in the past and able to make smarter choices.

A few simple twists to your diet and food choices may be enough for you to lower your cholesterol to a healthy level, and to help you stay away from medications. A natural approach like this doesn't carry the added risks that typically accompany many of the drugs and medications prescribed by physicians.

Even something as simple as a bowl of oatmeal can help lower your cholesterol. A handful of nuts or even a baked potato topped with some heart-healthy margarine can be much better than some alternatives. Eating fatty fish because of its high levels of omega-3 fatty acids can have multiple benefits of reducing cholesterol levels, reducing blood pressure, and reducing risk of heart disease.

Chicken and turkey being low in saturated fat and cholesterol are better for you in this regard than the red and fattier meats. Fruits and vegetables, and whole grains, are not only nutritious with high fiber and high levels of antioxidants but also have cholesterol-lowering capability. In fact fruits and vegetables are great substitutes for foods high in saturated fat and cholesterol. That means you will eat less of those foods that are not good for you.

Soluble fiber will naturally lower cholesterol by helping to remove it and expel it without it being absorbed into your system. Good sources of soluble fiber include oat bran, dried beans, and barley. Whole-meal breads, cereals, rice, pasta, and dry beans are high in fiber and low in saturated fat and calories. They also have no dietary cholesterol.

Studies have demonstrated that regular consumption of other specific food types can actually bring reductions in cholesterol levels. These include avocados, almonds, garlic, olive oil, sweet potatoes, apples, artichokes, carrots, onions, and more.

There is one group of foods that I advise you to stay right away from. That is those foods containing trans fats. Typically trans fats are found in many of the processed, packaged foods, convenience foods, fast foods, and margarine. A major problem with foods containing trans fats is that they not only increase your LDL cholesterol levels (the bad cholesterol) but they also decrease your HDL cholesterol levels (the good cholesterol). This makes them doubly bad if you are trying to maintain a healthy cholesterol level. You need to keep up your HDL cholesterol while lowering your LDL cholesterol.

So you have many options available to you if you choose to naturally lower cholesterol through food choices.