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Wednesday 23 April 2014

Top 10 Foods Highest in Cholesterol

Cholesterol is a steroid lipid (fat) found in the blood of all animals and is necessary for proper functioning of our cell membranes and production of hormones. While there can be negative health benefits associated with low cholesterol, cholesterol deficiency is rare. Our bodies already manufacture all the cholesterol we need, so it is not necessary to consume more. Excessive consumption of cholesterol has been shown to increase the risk of heart disease and stroke. Cholesterol is only found in animal food products, and thus, vegans are likely to have lower cholesterol than non-vegans. It is recommended that you buy a Cholesterol Test Kit, so you can monitor your cholesterol levels at home and see which diet works best for you. The current percent daily value (DV) for cholesterol is 300mg.

#1: Egg Yolk
The yolks of eggs have the most cholesterol of any food with 1234mg per 100 gram serving or 411% of the DV. A single egg yolk will provide 210mg (70% DV) of cholesterol, while a whole egg provides slightly more with 212mg (71% DV). Thus all the cholesterol in eggs is found in their yolks.
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#2: Caviar (Fish Roe)
A common spread for breads in Northern and Eastern Europe, caviar is packed with cholesterol. 100 grams provides 588mg (196% DV), that is 94mg (31% DV) per tablespoon.
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#3: Liver, Pate, Foie Gras
Cholesterol is manufactured by the liver, and therefore liver in cuisine contains a lot of cholesterol. The liver from most any meat will contain 564mg of cholesterol per 100 grams or 188% of the DV. Foie Gras (and most pâtés) contain 255mg (85% DV) per 100g serving,or 20mg (7% DV) per tablespoon.
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#4: Butter
Common in cakes, cookies, on bread, and vegetables, butter is everywhere. 100 grams of butter packs 215mg (72% DV) of cholesterol, one stick has more with 243mg (81% DV), and one tablespoon contains 30mg (10% DV).
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#5: Shrimp (Prawns, Camarones)
100 grams of shrimp will contain 195mg (65% DV) of cholesterol. A single large shrimp contains 11mg (4% DV), and an ounce of shrimp will provide around 55mg (18% DV).
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#6: Fast Foods (Breakfasts)
Fast foods, the breakfasts in particular, are packed with cholesterol. A ham, egg, and cheese biscuit will provide 172mg (57% DV) per 100g serving, or 246mg (82% DV) of cholesterol per biscuit. An egg and sausage biscuit has even more with 261mg (87% DV).
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#7: Oil Packed Fish
Although thought to be good for your heart, the oil of fish, and oil packed fish, does contain quite a bit of cholesterol. Oil packed Atlantic Sardines carry 142mg (47% DV) of cholesterol per 100g. That is 131mg (44% DV) per can, and 17mg (6% DV) in a single sardine.
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#8: Cheese
A vegetarian source of protein, and also a good source of calcium, cheese is a tasty addition to most any dish. Port de Salut contains the most cholesterol with 123mg (41% DV) per 100 gram serving. That is 21mg (7% DV) per one inch cube. Other cheeses high in cholesterol include: Fontina (39% DV), Gouda (38%), Cream Cheese (37% DV), Gruyere (37%), and Cheddar (35% DV).
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#9: Processed Meats (Sausage, Lamb, Duck)
The amount of cholesterol in any processed meat depends on the cut used, and the amount of fat added during processing. Liver sausage and bratwurst will contain around 158mg (50% DV) of cholesterol per 100 gram serving. That is 63mg (21% DV) per link. In terms of meats, lamb and duck will contain the most cholesterol all things being equal.
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#10: Shellfish (Oysters, Clams, and Mussels)
Shellfish can be eaten raw, baked, steamed, fried, or made into chowder. Wild Eastern Oysters contain the most cholesterol with 105mg (35% DV) per 100g serving. That is 30mg (10% DV) per ounce, or 7mg (3% DV) per oyster.
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Other Cholesterol Rich Foods (Which should be avoided by people with high blood cholesterol)

Squid (Calamari)260mg (87% DV) per 100 gram serving1179mg (395% DV) per pound (453 grams)221mg (74% DV) in a 3oz serving (85 grams)Click to see complete nutrition facts for Squid (Calamari)
Fast Food Biscuits, Burgers, and Sandwiches*235mg (78% DV) per 100 gram serving353mg (118% DV) per item (150 grams)Click to see complete nutrition facts for Fast Food Egg and Bacon Biscuit
Cream Puffs (Eclair)196mg (65% DV) per 100 gram serving129mg (43% DV) per cream puff (66 grams)94mg (31% DV) in an eclair (48 grams)Click to see complete nutrition facts for Cream Puffs and Eclairs
Liver Sausage (Liverwurst)*158mg (53% DV) per 100 gram serving28mg (9% DV) per slice (18 grams)44mg (15% DV) per ounce (28 grams)Click to see complete nutrition facts for Liver Sausage (Liverwurst)
Crab Cakes*150mg (50% DV) per 100 gram serving180mg (60% DV) in two crab cakes (120 grams)90mg (30% DV) per crab cake (60 grams)Click to see complete nutrition facts for Crab Cakes (Blue Crab)
Chocolate Mousse*140mg (47% DV) per 100 gram serving566mg (188% DV) per cup (404 grams)283mg (94% DV) in a half-cup (202 grams)Click to see complete nutrition facts for Chocolate Mousse
Heavy Whipping Cream137mg (46% DV) per 100 gram serving326mg (109% DV) per cup cream (~2 cups whipped) (238 grams)164mg (55% DV) per cup whipped (120 grams)Click to see complete nutrition facts for Heavy Whipping Cream
Snack and Candy Bars*136mg (45% DV) per 100 gram serving38mg (13% DV) in a 1 ounce bar (28 grams)Click to see complete nutrition facts for Snack and Candy Bars
Crayfish133mg (44% DV) per 100 gram serving113mg (38% DV) in a 3 ounce serving (85 grams)38mg (13% DV) per ounce (28 grams)Click to see complete nutrition facts for Wild Caught Crayfish
Beef Stick Snacks*133mg (44% DV) per 100 gram serving27mg (9% DV) per stick (20 grams)37mg (12% DV) per ounce (28 grams)Click to see complete nutrition facts for Smoked Beef Stick Snacks
Whelk130mg (43% DV) per 100 gram serving111mg (37% DV) in a 3 ounce serving (85 grams)37mg (12% DV) per ounce (28 grams)Click to see complete nutrition facts for Whelk
Blood Sausage120mg (40% DV) per 100 gram serving30mg (10% DV) per slice (25 grams)Click to see complete nutrition facts for Blood Sausage
Pork Ribs**118mg (39% DV) per 100 gram serving258mg (86% DV) per pound (219 grams)100mg (33% DV) in a 3 ounce serving (85 grams)Click to see complete nutrition facts for Roasted Pork Back-ribs
Souffle118mg (39% DV) per 100 gram serving320mg (106% DV) in two cups (272 grams)160mg (53% DV) per cup (136 grams)Click to see complete nutrition facts for Spinach Souffle
Cookies, Cakes, Pies, and Brownies*117mg (39% DV) per 100 gram serving6mg (2% DV) per item (5 grams)33mg (11% DV) per ounce (28 grams)Click to see complete nutrition facts for Butter Cookies
Veal**113mg (38% DV) per 100 gram serving292mg (97% DV) per pound (258 grams)96mg (32% DV) in a 3 ounce serving (85 grams)Click to see complete nutrition facts for Roasted Veal Shoulder
Bacon113mg (38% DV) per 100 gram serving36mg (12% DV) in 4 slices (32 grams)9mg (3% DV) per slice (8 grams)Click to see complete nutrition facts for Pan Fried Bacon
Fried Chicken (esp. Fast Foods)**112mg (37% DV) per 100 gram serving166mg (55% DV) in two pieces (148 grams)83mg (27% DV) per piece (74 grams)Click to see complete nutrition facts for Breaded and Fried Chicken, Dark Meat (Leg or Thigh)
Pepperoni (Beef, Pork, and Turkey)*105mg (35% DV) per 100 gram serving2mg (1% DV) per slice (2 grams)29mg (10% DV) per ounce (28 grams)Click to see complete nutrition facts for Pepperoni
Toffee104mg (35% DV) per 100 gram serving48mg (16% DV) in 4 pieces (48 grams)12mg (4% DV) per piece (12 grams)Click to see complete nutrition facts for Toffee
Salami*100mg (33% DV) per 100 gram serving27mg (9% DV) in 3 slices (27 grams)28mg (9% DV) per ounce (28 grams)Click to see complete nutrition facts for Dry (or Hard) Salami
Octopus96mg (32% DV) per 100 gram serving82mg (27% DV) in a 3 ounce serving (85 grams)27mg (9% DV) per ounce (28 grams)Click to see complete nutrition facts for Octopus
Ice Cream92mg (31% DV) per 100 gram serving196mg (66% DV) per cup (214 grams)98mg (33% DV) in a half-cup (107 grams)Click to see complete nutrition facts for Vanilla Ice Cream
Whole Milk (3.25% Milkfat)10mg (3% DV) per 100 gram serving24mg (8% DV) per cup (244 grams)3mg (1% DV) in a fluid ounce (31 grams)Click to see complete nutrition facts for Whole Milk
*Amount of cholesterol may vary greatly between products. Be sure to check nutrition labels for the exact amount of cholesterol in each individual product. 
**Amount of cholesterol varies greatly between cuts. Ask for low-fat lean cuts which will greatly reduce the amount of cholesterol. For chicken and turkey white meat has less cholesterol and fat than dark cuts such as the leg and thigh. 

High Risk Groups who need to limit or eliminate Cholesterol Consumption

  • Individuals with a family history of high cholesterol - Regulation of cholesterol blood levels are hereditary and it is advisable to find out if relatives have high cholesterol levels.
  • Older Adults - Cholesterol levels rise with age, particularly in post-menopausal women.
  • Over weight Individuals - Being over-weight increases risk of heart-disease and tends to colerate with high cholesterol levels.
  • People with Low Physical Activity Levels - Excersize is an effective way to lower bad cholesterol levels (LDLs) and raise good cholesterol levels (HDLs). People who are not physically active are at risk for high cholesterol levels.
  • Individuals with high blood pressure - High blood pressure in combination with high cholesterol levels greatly increases the risk of heart disease and heart attacks.
  • Smokers - Individuals who smoke cigarettes have a higher risk of heart disease and should avoid high cholesterol foods.

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