High cholesterol: NHS says avoiding binge drinking may help 'reduce' levels - Express

If you have been advised to make dietary changes, there are a number of things to consider and several general rules to follow.

The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada says: "As a rule of thumb, steer clear of highly processed foods, even if they are lower in fat content. Low-fat or diet foods are often loaded with calories, sodium and added sugar."

It says that it is also a good idea to add more vegetarian options like beans, lentils, tofu and nuts to your weekly meal plans, and "get in the habit of filling half your plate with vegetables and fruit".

There are two main types of fat, which are saturated and unsaturated. Eating too many foods high in saturated fat can raise the level of cholesterol in your blood. The health body says most people in the UK eat too much saturated fat.