Is peanut butter bad if you have high cholesterol?

QUESTION: I love peanut but spread on a slice of bread. My doc told I have high cholesterol, trying to exercise and eat healthy. But I love peanut butter, is it ok to eat it or it is bad?


ANSWER: Hi,

In general, peanuts and all other types of nuts are very healthy and good not only for healthy persons, but for those with
high cholesterol problems too.

All the nuts are rich in certain components, which help in reducing the amount of
LDL (also called bad cholesterol). Therefore, cutting your risks for developing
atherosclerosis, which leads to stroke or heart attacks.

With regards to peanut butter, you can eat it in moderation, especially try to combine it with other foods and drinks in purpose to maintain the level of LDL and
HDL constant. Let's say, for example, spread peanut butter on a whole grain slice of bread or while eating fruits.

According to National Peanut Board, peanut butter is rich in monounsaturated fats, fiber, minerals and proteins, all the necessary nutritional elements for
lowering cholesterol levels.

  • Another point to remember is the allergy. For your information, in the Unites Stated more than one and half million are allergic to peanuts and peanut butter of course.

    All the best and enjoy your nuts!

    Dr.Alba

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    Boiled shrimp has good or bad cholesterol?

    QUESTION: Is boiled shrimp rich in good or bad cholesterol? I know that shrimp can raise cholesterol, but if I use boiled shrimps, will they be the same?

    ANSWER: Hi,

    You have to know that the good or the bad cholesterol are derived by the combination of the fatty acids and triglycerides with proteins. This results in a combination named lipoprotein (LP).

    When the organism wants to transport these acids to other tissues different from the liver, then it combines fatty acids and triglycerides with low density proteins, leading to high Low Density Lipoproteins (LDL), also called bad cholesterol.

    When you are eating lots of food rich in fatty acids, the organism is, at the same time, producing lots of LDL in purpose to transport the fats to all tissues where they are needed. That is the reason why you have elevated LDL when you are eating more oily foods than usual.

    You have to know that boiled shrimps are the best shrimp meal for those with an elevation of the cholesterol level. Because, when something is boiled, we are not using excessive oil for the cooking process. That means that you are not taking excessive amount of fatty acids.

    Of course you are supposed to eat limited amount of boiled shrimps in purpose to keep your cholesterol under normal level.

    Dr.Alba

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    Is eating pasta bad for cholesterol?

    Pansta and Cholesterol

    Pansta and Cholesterol

    QUESTION: Hi,

    I love to eat pasta. Recently, I found I run family history of high cholesterol, and I am scared of everything I eat. Is pasta bad for cholesterol?


    ANSWER: Hi,

    The main problem related to pasta are its ingredients, especially when eggs are used.

  • So, there are certain types of pasta that have eggs and oil (vegetable oil). Try to avoid them if you have high cholesterol problems. Unless, you really love these types and cannot resist, you can eat them less often.

  • There are some other type of pasta that are made of white wheat flour (sometimes, bleached flour). These are bad pasta because they are rich in high glycemic index carbs, which can only raise your blood sugar levels, and contribute in your undesired weight gain.

    Furthermore, white flour pasta do not have any nutrient value, but can only make you fat. If you are having them at regular basis, please shift to other type of pasta.

  • The best alternatives are brown pasta (made of wholegrain). You can prepare pasta (or noddles) at home by using wholemeal flour and water.

  • One important thing I want to emphasize here is the sauce you prepare for your pasta, because it also plays a crucial role for the nutrient value it gives to pasta.

    Although you are consuming brown pasta, if the sauce you top it up contains meat balls and less veggies, it will definitely become your enemy and cause high cholesterol or other health problems.

    If the sauce is prepared ala-Mediterranean (tomatoes, herbs like oregano, basil, etc), then, it is a healthy source of nutrients, keeping safe of any health problems.

    Buon appetite!

    Dr.Alba

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