Eating low cholesterol foods is just one part of the healthy living equation

You walk down any aisle of a grocery store and you will see products labeled “no cholesterol” or “low cholesterol.” What does this mean?

In some respects, it is a marketing gimmick. In fact, stores could put a sign above the entire produce section that says, “Cholesterol Free” because cholesterol is only found in products that originate from animals. Plant-based products have no cholesterol.

It’s important to remember eating low cholesterol foods is just one part of the equation. Saturated fat actually increases blood cholesterol more than cholesterol itself, and food with trans fatty acids (trans fat) can also increase blood cholesterol. So while looking for low cholesterol foods is important, you also need to look for foods that are low in saturated fat and trans fat.

Cholesterol Free Foods

The ultimate “low cholesterol foods” are “cholesterol-free foods” (food that comes from a plant). Foods that have no cholesterol and should be part of any low cholesterol diet include: fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes.

Fruits and vegetables are low in saturated fat and total fat, and have no cholesterol. A diet high in fruit and vegetables may also help keep cholesterol levels low. So fruits and vegetables are great substitutes for foods high in saturated fat and cholesterol.

Breads, cereals, rice, pasta, and other grains, and dry beans and peas are generally high in starch and fiber and low in saturated fat and calories. They also have no dietary cholesterol, except for some bakery breads and sweet bread products made with high-fat, high-cholesterol milk, butter and eggs.

Like fruits and vegetables, naturally low-fat, low-cholesterol breads and other foods in this group are also good choices as part of a low cholesterol diet.

Easy Red Beans and Rice

This is an easy and delicious take on a Louisiana classic that you can prepare and cook in 40 minutes. Use turkey kielbasa to cut down on the fat, but not the flavor.

2 cups water

1 cup uncooked rice (your choice)

1 (16 oz.) pkg. turkey kielbasa, cut diagonally into 1/4-inch slices

1 onion, chopped

1 green bell pepper, chopped

1 clove chopped garlic

2 (15 oz.) cans canned kidney beans, drained

1 (16 oz.) can whole peeled tomatoes, chopped

1/2 tsp. dried oregano

Salt and pepper to taste

In a medium saucepan, bring water to a boil. Add rice and stir. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 20 minutes. In a large skillet over low heat, cook sausage for 5 minutes. Stir in onion, green pepper and garlic; saute until tender. Pour in beans and tomatoes with juice. Season with oregano, salt and pepper. Simmer uncovered for 20 minutes. Serve over rice. Makes 8 servings.

Bahamian Baked Grouper

This recipe is great for grouper fillets, but you can also use it with tilapia. It’s both healthy and flavorful. You don’t have to love fish to love this dish. Serve it with rice and coleslaw to complete the meal.

4 (4 oz.) grouper fillets

1/4 cup fresh limejuice

1 pinch red pepper flakes (to taste)

Salt and ground black pepper to taste

1 tomato, thinly sliced

1 onion, thinly sliced

1 green bell pepper, thinly sliced

Arrange the grouper on a plate. Drizzle the limejuice over the fillets and season with salt, pepper and red pepper flakes. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight or 8 hours.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees; Lightly grease a baking dish. Lay the fillets in the baking dish in a single layer. Arrange the tomato slices, onion slices and bell pepper slices atop the fillets; cover with aluminum foil. Bake in preheated oven until the fish flakes easily, about 1 hour. Makes 4 servings.

Asian Orange Chicken

Enjoy delicious citrus chicken marinated in lemon and orange juice with brown sugar, vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, and ginger. It’s terrific served with rice.

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1/2-inch pieces

1 cup all-purpose flour

1/4 tsp. salt and pepper

3 Tbsps. olive oil

Sauce:

1-1/2 cups water

2 Tbsps. orange juice

1/4 cup lemon juice

1/3 cup rice vinegar

2-1/2 Tbsps. soy sauce

1 Tbsp. grated orange zest

1 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 tsp. minced fresh ginger

1/2 tsp. minced garlic

2 Tbsps. chopped green onion

1/4 tsp. red pepper flakes

3 Tbsps. cornstarch

2 Tbsps. water

Pour water, orange juice, lemon juice, rice vinegar and soy sauce into a saucepan and set over medium-high heat. Stir in the orange zest, brown sugar, ginger, garlic, chopped onion and red pepper flakes. Bring to a boil. Remove from heat, and cool 10 to 15 minutes.

Place the chicken pieces into a resealable plastic bag. When contents of saucepan have cooled, pour 1 cup of sauce into bag; reserve the remaining sauce. Seal the bag, and refrigerate at least 2 hours.

In another resealable plastic bag, mix the flour, salt and pepper. Add the marinated chicken pieces, seal the bag, and shake to coat.

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Place chicken into the skillet, and brown on both sides. Drain on a plate lined with paper towels, and cover with aluminum foil. Wipe out the skillet, and add the sauce. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Mix together the cornstarch and 2 tablespoons water; stir into the sauce. Reduce heat to medium-low, add the chicken pieces, and simmer, about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Makes 4 servings.

Norm Harding is a cooking columnist for the Beacon. To send him recipes, e-mail him at nharding@brunswickbeacon.com.