Learning to follow a diet plan low in fat and cholesterol in hopes of lowering your cholesterol levels is often tough. Diets are confusing by nature, and you may find yourself unsure of what you can and cannot eat. Thankfully, the low-fat, high-fiber diet that is recommended if you have high cholesterol is a rather easy one to describe. Within a few weeks, you should have a very good idea of which foods are allowed and which are not.Think naturalNatural, minimally processed foods are the basis of your diet. Many diet plans describe the basis of this diet as consisting primarily of plant products. This means fruits, vegetables and whole grain foods should make up about 75 percent of your diet. Aim for the freshest selections available in these categories. For example, choose a fresh apple over canned Pears and brown rice over processed white rice. Aim for at least five servings of fruit and veggies each day, and try to vary the colors of these foods for the greatest range in nutritional content.Replace half of your grains with whole grain products for a more fiber-filled diet. Fiber promotes a lower cholesterol level. Choose leaner meatsAnimal products contain saturated fat, the kind of fat that increases cholesterol levels. In order to avoid an unhealthy intake of saturated fat, all you need to do is avoid high-fat meats and dairy. Instead, choose lean meats. Boneless and skinless chicken breasts are full of healthy protein and contain almost no fat. Lean **** loin and lean beef sirloin are also healthy choices. When it comes to dairy, always choose fat free milk and yogurt.Lowering your cholesterol by following a proper diet is not always easy. However, if you simplify the diet by focusing on natural, low fat foods, you can have success in just a few months.