Top 10 Foods Highest in Cholesterol to Avoid
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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.
Table of Contents
List of Foods Highest in Cholesterol
#1: Fast Foods (McDonalds Big Breakfast)
| Cholesterol per Order | Cholesterol per 100g | Cholesterol per 200 Calories |
|---|---|---|
| 465mg (155% DV) | 173mg (58% DV) | 121mg (40% DV) |
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.
#2: Liver
| Cholesterol per 3oz Serving | Cholesterol per 100g | Cholesterol per 200 Calories |
|---|---|---|
| 419mg (140% DV) | 493mg (164% DV) | 414mg (138% DV) |
Most organ meats are high in cholesterol and should be avoided.
#3: Fatty Meats (Chicken Leg)
| Cholesterol per Roasted Leg (Thigh And Leg) | Cholesterol per 100g | Cholesterol per 200 Calories |
|---|---|---|
| 328mg (109% DV) | 127mg (42% DV) | 138mg (46% DV) |
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.
#4: Canned Shrimp
| Cholesterol per Cup | Cholesterol per 100g | Cholesterol per 200 Calories |
|---|---|---|
| 323mg (108% DV) | 252mg (84% DV) | 504mg (168% DV) |
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.
#5: Desserts (Chocolate Mousse)
| Cholesterol per 1/2 Cup | Cholesterol per 100g | Cholesterol per 200 Calories |
|---|---|---|
| 283mg (94% DV) | 140mg (47% DV) | 124mg (41% DV) |
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 eclair.
#6: Eggs
| Cholesterol in 1 Large Egg | Cholesterol per 100g | Cholesterol per 200 Calories |
|---|---|---|
| 187mg (62% DV) | 373mg (124% DV) | 481mg (160% DV) |
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.
#7: Whipped Cream
| Cholesterol per Cup Whipped | Cholesterol per 100g | Cholesterol per 200 Calories |
|---|---|---|
| 133mg (44% DV) | 111mg (37% DV) | 76mg (25% DV) |
#8: Bacon
| Cholesterol per 3 Slices | Cholesterol per 100g | Cholesterol per 200 Calories |
|---|---|---|
| 36mg (12% DV) | 99mg (33% DV) | 42mg (14% DV) |
Other Processed Meats High in Cholesterol
-27% DV in 3oz of pepperoni-21% DV in a pork bratwurst sausage
#9: Cheese
| Cholesterol per Oz | Cholesterol per 100g | Cholesterol per 200 Calories |
|---|---|---|
| 35mg (12% DV) | 123mg (41% DV) | 70mg (23% DV) |
For more info, see the list of cheese low in cholesterol.
#10: Butter
| Cholesterol per Tblsp | Cholesterol per 100g | Cholesterol per 200 Calories |
|---|---|---|
| 31mg (10% DV) | 215mg (72% DV) | 60mg (20% DV) |
See All 200 Foods High in Cholesterol
Next ➞Printable One Page Sheet
High Risk Groups for High Blood Cholesterol
- Individuals with a family history of high cholesterol - Regulation of cholesterol blood levels is hereditary and it is advisable to find out if relatives have high cholesterol levels.
- Older Adults - Cholesterol levels rise with age, particularly in post-menopausal women.
- Over-weight Individuals - Being over-weight increases risk of heart disease and tends to correlate with high cholesterol levels.
- People with Low Physical Activity Levels - Excersise is an effective way to lower bad cholesterol levels (LDLs) and raise good cholesterol levels (HDLs). People who are not physically active are at risk for high cholesterol levels.
- Individuals with high blood pressure - High blood pressure in combination with high cholesterol levels greatly increases the risk of heart disease and heart attacks.
- Smokers - Individuals who smoke cigarettes have a higher risk of heart disease and should avoid high cholesterol foods.
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From the Nutrient Ranking Tool
- Foods High in Cholesterol
- Foods Low in Cholesterol
- Vegetarian Foods High in Cholesterol
- Dairy High in Cholesterol
- Fast Foods High in Cholesterol
View more food groups with the nutrient ranking tool, or see ratios with the nutrient ratio tool.
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