Top 10 Foods Highest in Cholesterol to Avoid

Cholesterol is a steroid lipid (fat) found in the blood of all animals and is necessary for proper functioning of our cell membranes and production of hormones. While there can be negative health effects associated with low cholesterol, cholesterol deficiency is rare. Our bodies already manufacture all the cholesterol we need, so it is not necessary to consume more.

Excessive consumption of cholesterol may increase the risk of heart disease and stroke, especially in certain groups which are sensitive to dietary cholesterol. (2)

Experiment with different diets, and use a Cholesterol Test Kit, so you can monitor your cholesterol levels at home and see which diet lowers your cholesterol.

High cholesterol foods include fast foods, liver, fatty meats, canned shrimp, desserts, eggs, whipped cream, bacon, cheese, and butter. The current daily value (DV) for cholesterol is 300mg.

Below is a list of high cholesterol foods, to lower your cholesterol, read the article on cholesterol lowering foods.

List of Foods Highest in Cholesterol

1 Fast Foods (McDonalds Big Breakfast)

• 155% DV (465mg) cholesterol per order
• Calories: 767 | Weight: 269g (9.5oz)

More Fast Foods High in Cholesterol

-118% DV in an egg and bacon biscuit
-63% DV in a Double Whopper with Cheese

See all fast foods high in cholesterol.

Nutrition Facts for Mcdonalds Big Breakfast.

2 Liver

• 140% DV (419mg) cholesterol per 3oz serving
• Calories: 202 | Weight: 85g (3oz)

Most organ meats are high in cholesterol and should be avoided.

Nutrition Facts for Lamb Liver (cooked).

3 Fatty Meats (Chicken Leg)

• 109% DV (328mg) cholesterol per roasted leg (thigh and leg)
• Calories: 475 | Weight: 258g (9.1oz)

More Fatty Meats High in Cholesterol

-59% DV in a pork chop with fat
-42% DV in a rack of pork spare ribs
-40% DV in a single chicken wing

See the full list of high cholesterol meats.

Nutrition Facts for Roasted Chicken Leg.

4 Canned Shrimp

• 108% DV (323mg) cholesterol per cup
• Calories: 128 | Weight: 128g (4.5oz)

Shrimp, like all seafood, have a high omega 3 to omega 6 ratio, making them heart healthy. Still, people should be aware that they have the most cholesterol of any fish or seafood.

Nutrition Facts for Canned Shrimp.

5 Desserts (Chocolate Mousse)

• 94% DV (283mg) cholesterol per 1/2 cup
• Calories: 455 | Weight: 202g (7.1oz)

More High Cholesterol Desserts

-39% DV in 1/2 cup of egg custard
-33% DV in 1/2 cup of ice-cream
-25% DV in a cream filled elcair.

Nutrition Facts for Chocolate Mousse.

6 Eggs

• 62% DV (187mg) cholesterol in 1 large egg
• Calories: 78 | Weight: 50g (1.8oz)

While eggs are high in cholesterol, they are not considered unhealthy. Still, if you have high cholesterol, avoiding eggs, or limit yourself to 1 per day.

Nutrition Facts for Hard Boiled Eggs.

7 Whipped Cream

• 44% DV (133mg) cholesterol per cup whipped
• Calories: 350 | Weight: 120g (4.2oz)

Nutrition Facts for Light Whipping Cream.

8 Bacon

• 12% DV (36mg) cholesterol per 3 slices
• Calories: 168 | Weight: 36g (1.3oz)

Other Processed Meats High in Cholesterol

-27% DV in 3oz of pepperoni
-21% DV in a pork bratwurst sausage

Nutrition Facts for Bacon (pan-fried).

9 Cheese

• 12% DV (35mg) cholesterol per oz
• Calories: 100 | Weight: 28g (1oz)

For more info, see the list of cheese low in cholesterol.

Nutrition Facts for Port De Salut Cheese.

10 Butter

• 10% DV (31mg) cholesterol per tblsp
• Calories: 102 | Weight: 14g (0.5oz)

Nutrition Facts for Salted Butter.

See All 200 Foods High in Cholesterol