How Can You Control High Cholesterol in Teenagers?High cholesterol in teenagers can be troubling because you want your teens to begin their adult life in a healthy state, with the hope that they can maintain that healthy. So what do you do to control high cholesterol in teenagers?
First of all, let’s take a minute to understand cholesterol. Cholesterol is not all bad; everyone needs some for their body to function. Cholesterol is made in the liver, and your body uses it to process vitamin D, maintain cell membranes, as well as produce bile acid (for digestion) and some hormones. Your body carries cholesterol through your blood to the areas where it is needed.
Problems arise when your body has too much cholesterol, or for discussion here, when high cholesterol in teenagers occurs. In addition to what your body makes, cholesterol is also increased by the foods you eat. If you eat a lot of:
In addition, foods high in saturated fats increase your cholesterol level. High cholesterol in teenagers means that at a young age they are already making themselves susceptible to heart disease. In addition, they are still at an age where they are forming eating habits that will be hard to break later in life. Because of this, it is important that teens focus on a diet that is not high in cholesterol.
Foods that derive from plants naturally contain no cholesterol. This includes all fruits and vegetables, as well as grains. Generally, fish is low in cholesterol also.
Consider your teen’s lifestyle, also, when planning meals. Teenagers are often busy with numerous activities and spending time with friends. They need foods that they can grab on their way out the door. If the only foods handy are processed foods that are high in saturated fats, this is simply pushing them toward high cholesterol in teenagers. Be sure to have plenty of healthy snacks, such as fresh fruit available.
Your teens will also model their eating habits after their parents, so be sure that you are setting a good example. Be sure and eat foods that will keep your cholesterol and your weight low.
By focusing on a diet that includes plenty of foods with no cholesterol, and only a moderate amount of foods that contain higher levels of cholesterol, high cholesterol in teenagers can be avoided. (Of course, if a high level of cholesterol has already been diagnosed, it may be necessary to not only limit foods that contain cholesterol but eliminate them from the diet completely.)
Being conscientious about cholesterol will not only help you control your cholesterol levels, it will also help you be healthier in general. Foods lower in cholesterol can also help you avoid unnecessary weight gain, or lose pounds that you don’t need. Proactively controlling high cholesterol in teenagers can also control future weight problems and obesity. High cholesterol in teenagers can be troubling because you want your teens to begin their adult life in a healthy state, with the hope that they can maintain that healthy. So what do you do to control high cholesterol in teens?
First of all, let’s take a minute to understand cholesterol. Cholesterol is not all bad; everyone needs some for their body to function. Cholesterol is made in the liver, and your body uses it to process vitamin D, maintain cell membranes, as well as produce bile acid (for digestion) and some hormones. Your body carries cholesterol through your blood to the areas where it is needed.
Problems arise when your body has too much cholesterol, or for discussion here, when high cholesterol in teenagers occurs. In addition to what your body makes, cholesterol is also increased by the foods you eat. If you eat a lot of:
In addition, foods high in saturated fats increase your cholesterol level. High cholesterol in teenagers means that at a young age they are already making themselves susceptible to heart disease. In addition, they are still at an age where they are forming eating habits that will be hard to break later in life. Because of this, it is important that teens focus on a diet that is not high in cholesterol.
Foods that derive from plants naturally contain no cholesterol. This includes all fruits and vegetables, as well as grains. Generally, fish is low in cholesterol also.
Consider your teen’s lifestyle, also, when planning meals. Teenagers are often busy with numerous activities and spending time with friends. They need foods that they can grab on their way out the door. If the only foods handy are processed foods that are high in saturated fats, this is simply pushing them toward high cholesterol in teenagers. Be sure to have plenty of healthy snacks, such as fresh fruit available.
Your teens will also model their eating habits after their parents, so be sure that you are setting a good example. Be sure and eat foods that will keep your cholesterol and your weight low.
By focusing on a diet that includes plenty of foods with no cholesterol, and only a moderate amount of foods that contain higher levels of cholesterol, high cholesterol in teenagers can be avoided. (Of course, if a high level of cholesterol has already been diagnosed, it may be necessary to not only limit foods that contain cholesterol but eliminate them from the diet completely.)
Being conscientious about cholesterol will not only help you control your cholesterol levels, it will also help you be healthier in general. Foods lower in cholesterol can also help you avoid unnecessary weight gain, or lose pounds that you don’t need. Proactively controlling high cholesterol in teenagers can also control future weight problems and obesity. You also want your teen following a healthy exercise plan such as the one below.
So, go ahead. Help your teen follow the steps above and start lowering their cholesterol today.
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