I don’t know about you, but as a member of the Baby Boomer Generation with several senior relatives, all of us are thinking A LOT about cholesterol. For that reason, I’ve tended to assume it is something only those of us in the over-50 crowd need to be really focused on.

Today I was reading an article by clinical dietitian Josey Crew, written as part of National Cholesterol Month, that recommends all women over the age of 20 should have their cholesterol counts checked! WOW! Guess we need to let our adult kids know about that one! She recommends this in part because “women over the age of 55 tend to have higher cholesterol levels than men” and “elevated blood cholesterol is one of three major risk factors for coronary heart disease.” Bet it wouldn’t hurt to let our guys know these facts as well!

If you’d like more information for yourself, or to share with other loved ones in your life – from senior parents down to younger grandkids, The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute has some excellent information, complete with diagrams and pictures. Among other things, it lists foods that INCREASE bad cholesterol, including a high carbohydrate diet! I have to admit, with all my reading, that was totally NEW to me! Guess I’m going to have to stick with the low carb meals of the South Beach diet instead of my beloved, but high in carbs, Serotonin diet. Hmmmmm.

There’s plenty of other excellent info there – enough for a great school report for classroom projects or homeschooling programs, if any of your grandkids are looking for ideas! They even offer a free 85 page PDF booklet, Your Guide to Lowering Your Cholesterol with TLC (Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes). I’ve saved that onto my computer and will be giving it a good reading later this month! Did you discover anything new to you? We’d love to hear what it was. It might give us some extra food for thought as well.

The Food Network lists seven foods that seem to help lower cholesterol.  The American Heart Association has some great tips for cooking healthier.  Also, in addition to my oat bran ideas for a low cholesterol diet, here are some other yummy low cholesterol recipes full of healthy foods:

• Greek-styled Stewed Chicken
• Lettuce, Apple, Walnut Salad
• Mayo Clinic Treasure Trove of Heart Healthy Recipes

What’s your favorite recipe for a low cholesterol diet? Send it to me at SandwichINK@SandwichINK.com for a future article.