If you are diagnosed with heart problems or high cholesterol, it is crucial to make changes to your diet and eating habits. Eating a low fat, low cholesterol diet is great for your heart. If a proper diet is followed, in many cases it is possible to avoid having to take expensive prescription medications.What types of food should you avoid on a low cholesterol diet?Although there are many foods that you can eat on a low cholesterol diet, there are certain foods to avoid. Reducing the amounts of trans fat and saturated fat that is consumed on a daily basis is crucial for any cholesterol-lowering diet. These types of fats are found in animal meats, dairy products, toppings such as butter, dips and dressings and processed foods such as cookies, cakes and chips. Avoiding foods that contain saturated fats and trans fats improves cholesterol levels, and lowers your risk for Heart disease later on in life. There is also new evidence that, in addition to lowering your saturated fat intake, you should also watch your intake of certain carbohydrates. Bad carbohydrates consist of simple sugars and are often found in products such as cookies, white bread and white rice. This type of fast digesting carbohydrate can increase triglycerides and LDL cholesterol levels.What types of food should you eat on a low cholesterol diet?There are a wide variety of foods that you can eat on a low cholesterol diet. Saturated fats are bad for cholesterol, but unsaturated fats are actually very heart-healthy. They can actually increase good cholesterol (HDL) levels, while at the same time reduce bad cholesterol (LDL) levels. Foods that are high in unsaturated fat include: fish, nuts, certain types of healthy oils and seeds. Another group of foods to consume on a low cholesterol diet is whole grains, such as oatmeal and whole grain bread. Whole grains are high in fiber, which bind to cholesterol and prevent it from entering the bloodstream. You do not have to totally avoid animal meats on a low cholesterol diet. Simply consume leaner meats such as chicken and turkey.Always remember to eat healthy snacks. Snacks count as part of your low cholesterol diet and if you eat junk at snack-time it damages your health. Instead of eating chips or cookies, try to eat fresh fruits and vegetables. Fruits and vegetables are low in calories and high in nutrients. It is important to follow a low cholesterol diet to keep good cholesterol levels and avoid potentially serious health problems. Eating a low cholesterol diet is not as difficult as you may think and can add years to your life.