Do you like my heart health picture?!

One thing I’ve always disliked about diets and “healthy living” is that much of the focus tends to be on what you CAN’T have. I think this can be daunting, especially when someone is in the process of just changing their dietary ways.

I like to focus on what you CAN and SHOULD have. Today’s post is about just that.

Eating for Cholesterol Health

Quick Info:

• HDL cholesterol is the “good” cholesterol which essentially works to remove the dangerous cholesterol out of your body for disposal – levels should be over 60.
• LDL cholesterol is the “bad” cholesterol which can eventually cause plaque buildup in the arteries – levels should be below 200.
• Cholesterol levels have an affect on heart health in that high levels of LDL cholesterol and low levels of HDL cholesterol are a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke.

What to Eat:

• Monounsaturated Fats (olive oil, avocado) can help lower LDL cholesterol
• Fiber (especially soluble fiber) helps lower cholesterol (foods like oatmeal, pinto beans, red kidney beans, brusssels sprouts and sweet potatoes are high in soluble fiber)
• Omega 3’s help to lower triglycerides which in turn help raise HDL cholesterol levels
• Nuts (especially almonds), Coconut Oil, Wine, Milk (Calcium and Phosphorus), Soy and Garlic can also all help
• Exercise (I know this isn’t something you eat, but exercise seems to help everything, doesn’t it?)

Quaker and SUPERVALU (Cub is the local Minnesota SUPERVALU store) have teamed up to offer cholesterol screening with the purchase of three Quaker Heart Healthy Products (Instant Oatmeal, Quick or Old Fashioned Oats, Oatmeal Squares).  What a great local resource. I know I put off getting my cholesterol checked for a long time but there really is no excuse now. Everyone needs to eat breakfast, right?  The Power in Numbers program has a great page on understanding your numbers so that you can interpret what your levels really mean once you get them.

Go head to your local Cub* (store finder) and get your cholesterol checked! Have any questions? Email me: emily@anutritionisteats.com

*Or other SUPERVALU store in your area

Disclosure statement: This post is part of a sponsored partnership between myself and Quaker Oats.  I was compensated for my time and writing but my opinions are my own.

Welcome to the crazy world of the Natural Products Expo West. There were many new and notable products – ranging from food, drink, body/cleaning products, supplements and crazy other products that aren’t even categorizable.

I must say that Expo is a completely different experience when walking the show rather than being at a booth.

(And I must admit that it was rather nice and much less stressful.)

Here are some of the Notable Products that I found:

• Go Picnic: adorable, healthy snack packs for kids or adults!

• Earthbound Farm: new salad kits with grain-based protein like quinoa look very promising for quick lunches.
• Justin’s Nut Butter: Peanut Butter Cups. Enough said.

• Stonyfield Greek Style Yogurt: thick and creamy with more protein than regular yogurt, but less tartness. I’m still a sugar-hater in yogurt but this was delicious.

• Larabar Blueberry Muffin: I’ve heard nothing but good things about this variety but I wasn’t a huge fan. Maybe calling it a “Blueberry Muffin” threw me off a bit…

• Tang’s Whole Wheat Potstickers: I love dumplings of any kind and love that these are made with whole wheat! (Future freezer staple)

• So Delicious No Sugar Coconut Ice Cream and Coconut Greek Yogurt: I sadly was not a fan of either of these products – the ice cream tasted like sugar alcohol and the yogurt was not thick like a greek yogurt. I’ll continue to buy the Coconut Milk Ice Cream that is sweetened with agave.
• Jamba Juice & Zola Superfruit Shots: A quick swig of vitamins and antioxidants in delicious juice – perfect for kids.

• Cakeheads Whoopie Pies: These were amazing (and adorable) with flavors like brown butter and pumpkin. I want some for my wedding. Seriously.

• Two Mom’s in the Raw: Almond Butter Cacao Truffles – raw, vegan, organic, gluten-free and handmade. They explain themselves and tasted amazing.
• Wafu Ginger Carrot Dressing: You know that dressing served at sushi restaurants? This is it. I can’t wait.

• Three Twins Ice Cream: Organic, creamy ice cream with flavors like Dad’s Cardamom and Strawberry Je Ne Sais Quoi (a splash of balsamic vinegar adds a special little something) sold me!

• GO Energy for the skin by The Ginger People: felt amazing, smelled energizing – a new ginger based skin care line.

• North American Hemp Co: full hair care line made with organic hemp seed oil.

• Lunch Skins: I reuse my plastic baggies, but using these will eliminate them! (And they are much cuter!)

• AcroYoga: Absolutely amazing – they were performing with a dreaded dj at the Aura Cacia booth.

Whew – that was a lot of eating. I can’t wait to start seeing these products in stores. Hope you enjoyed my Expo West findings!