Acceptable Cholesterol Levels

• A total cholesterol level of 200 mg/dL or less reduces the chance someone will develop coronary heart disease. An HDL (or "good") cholesterol level of 60 mg/dL or higher and an LDL (or "bad") cholesterol level of 100 mg/dL or less is also desirable for maintaining good heart health, along with a triglyceride level of 150 mg/dL or less.
  
  

Cooking Techniques

• Cooking techniques that can help lower cholesterol include baking, grilling, broiling, microwaving, poaching, roasting, sauteing, simmering, steaming, and stir-frying. To maintain the healthfulness of these techniques, it's important not to add additional fat sources such as butter, use racks or pans that allow fat to drip off foods, and avoid high-sodium marinades. Using spices or herbs can enhance flavor without adding fat or sodium.
  
  

Other Tips

• Additional tips for lowering cholesterol include using lean cuts of meat, trimming all visible fat from meat prior to cooking, not eating the skin on poultry, substituting egg whites for whole eggs, eating fish at least twice per week, and increasing fiber and whole grain intake.