Test Your Cholesterol Knowledge

Posted: June 1, 2005

Scroll to the end of this document to see how many you answered correctly.

1. What are the steps you can take to reduce your high blood cholesterol?

a) Follow a diet low in saturated fat, low in cholesterol.
b) Be more physically active.
c) Lose weight if you are overweight.
d) Take your cholesterol lowering medication if prescribed.
e) All of the above.


2. Which food does not have a lot of saturated fat?

a) Coconut oil.
b) Whole milk.
c) Chicken, with skin.
d) Butter.
e) Whole wheat bread.

3. Which food does not have a lot of cholesterol?

a) Steak.
b) Banana.
c) Shrimp.
d) Butter.
e) Egg.

4. Which of the following is a desirable total cholesterol level?
a) Less than 200 mg/dL.
b) Less than 230 mg/dL.
c) Less than 240 mg/dL.

Answers:

1. The correct answer is (e) all of the above. Following a low-saturated-fat, low-cholesterol diet, being physically active, maintaining a healthy weight and taking cholesterol-lowering medication are all important to reduce your blood cholesterol level.

2, The correct answer is (e) whole wheat bread. The other choices are all high in saturated fat. Foods high in saturated fat include foods from animals, such as fatty cuts of meat, poultry with the skin, whole-milk dairy products, and lard. Even though they are vegetable products, tropical oils like coconut, palm kernel and palm oils are also high in saturated fat.

3, The correct answer is (b) banana. Dietary cholesterol also can raise your blood cholesterol level, although usually not as much as saturated fat. Dietary cholesterol is found only in foods that come from animals. Many of these foods also are high in saturated fat. Use the food label to help you choose foods low in both cholesterol and saturated fat.

4. The correct answer is (a). Less than 200 mg/dL is a desirable level that puts you at lower risk for heart disease. Total cholesterol levels of 200 mg/dL or higher increase your risk.

Source: National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute

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