Cholesterol is a waxy substance found in your blood. Believe it or not, not all cholesterol is bad. For instance, the body requires cholesterol to build healthy cells. However, high levels of “bad” cholesterol can increase your risk of heart disease and stroke. Cholesterol is made up of both high-density lipoprotein and low-density lipoprotein (or LDL and HDL cholesterol). LDL is the “bad cholesterol” since it causes arteries to fill with plaque, whereas HDL is “good cholesterol” since it eliminates excess cholesterol in the body.

The following foods are high in bad (LDL) cholesterol and should be moderated:

1. Butter and margarine
Butter and margarine are not healthy for the heart since they contain saturated fats, and also LDL Cholesterol is found in margarine. Consuming a lot of butter and margarine poses a lot of risk to your health, and the amount you take should be limited. There is a high amount of cholesterol and saturated fats linked to an increased risk of heart disease. The saturated fats are responsible for increasing bad cholesterol, also known as LDL Cholesterol. Margarine might contain some nutrients that are good for the heart; it also contains trans fat. Trans fat is detrimental since it can cause chronic health conditions and also increase the risk of heart disease, as mentioned earlier. The critical thing most people should do is avoid butter and margarine or take them in moderation. If you don’t observe that, you will be consuming a lot of cholesterol, and your health might be at risk.

2. Bacon and deli meats
You should avoid consuming a lot of processed meat. These include hot dogs, bacon, and sausages. They have very high cholesterol, and you should avoid or highly limit your intake. Increased bacon and deli meats intake can lead to colon cancer and other cancer types and increased heart disease risk. Consuming 50-grams of processed meat in a day can increase your chances of getting heart disease by 42%.

3. Liver and organ meats
Organ meats are very high in cholesterol, purine, and saturated fats. The most common types include the liver, heart, tongue, tripe, sweetbreads, kidney, and brain. These foods increase the risk of you suffering from heart disease, and also it’s risky for those who already suffer from gout and heart disease. The animal source doesn’t matter. All organ meats are very high in cholesterol. High amounts of cholesterol lead to clogged arteries and heart disease. It’s advisable to limit the consumption of these meats.

4. Cheese
There are 27mgs of cholesterol from one ounce of cheese. Consuming high amounts of low-fat cheese increases LDL levels in the body. Eating cheese regularly and a lot of it increases the number of calories you eat. This habit can lead to health problems related to high cholesterol. You end up at an increased risk of heart disease and other conditions harmful to your health.

5. Sweet desserts
Various desserts are very high in cholesterol, including ice cream, pastries, different sweets, cookies, among others. They are also very high in calories and unhealthy fats. Eating a lot of these sweet desserts can cause rapid weight gain and even affect your overall health. They deprive your body of essential nutrients such as protein, minerals, vitamins, and healthy fats. You might be at risk of cognitive decline, diabetes, obesity, some cancers, and heart disease.