The foods included do not necessarily need to be avoided. Some of these foods are known to be high in cholesterol, either HDL or LDL, so they should be consumed in strict moderation. However, some others should be avoided altogether since they serve no nutritional benefit. Here’s a list of foods that contribute to a high-cholesterol diet:

1. Eggs
Eggs are very high in cholesterol and should be avoided if blood cholesterol levels are already high. Avoiding the yolk may help in reducing the cholesterol effects of the eggs, but it also takes away almost all the nutritional value of the eggs. The white contains mainly the protein and minimal amount of other nutrients. Reports suggest that these help in reducing the risk of heart diseases. For people who already have high cholesterol, eggs should be left out from the diet.

2. Organ meat
Many people include organ meats like kidney and liver in their diet as it is high in iron, but it is also very high in cholesterol. It can help prevent heart disease but accounts for a dangerously high level of cholesterol.

3. Margarine
Many assume this to be better than butter in terms of health benefits. On the contrary, some forms of margarine are worse than butter and can contribute to a high-cholesterol diet. This is mainly because margarine contains large amounts of trans fat, most of which comes from partially hydrogenated oils. Margarine can very well contribute to high cholesterol levels.

4. Cookies and cakes
Packaged food always tends to be high in fat, making them part of a high-cholesterol diet. The main reason for commercially baked goods being left out of a healthy diet is the high hydrogenated vegetable oils and the production of trans fat.

5. Fried chicken
This is, by far, the least surprising food when it comes to a high-cholesterol diet. Fried chicken is unhealthy on all levels and its intake should be kept minimal by everyone, irrespective of their cholesterol levels. The only possible nutritional benefit is protein, but even that is canceled out with the amount of fat and unhealthy oils present.

6. Shellfish
Another common source of high cholesterol is shellfish. Shellfish is an amazing source of protein and is also rich in iron and vitamin B12. It is known to reduce inflammation and reduce the risk of cancer (specifically prostate cancer), but it is also low in fat and very high in cholesterol. This is why it should be avoided by those on the borderline of high cholesterol.

All the mentioned foods contribute to a high-cholesterol diet and can cause serious effects if the patient is already past or on the borderline. For others, this food can be consumed, but only in moderation. Since eating any of these will increase cholesterol by a certain amount, ensure that you compensate with a healthy diet and regular exercise.