Cholesterol Lowering Diet

Background

Alain Braux, a French chef with a degree in holistic nutrition, is the author of How to Lower Your Cholesterol With French Gourmet Food. When Braux was diagnosed with high cholesterol he managed to significantly reduce his levels by returning to a traditional French diet.

Although French food is generally regarded as being rich and loaded with butter and cream, Braux explains that modern French cooking has actually moved away from this approach and now emphasizes fresh and seasonal ingredients that are prepared without heavy sauces.

The book contains a great deal of nutrition information specifically targeted on lowering serum cholesterol. It also includes a wide selection of recipes that will help you to practically apply this information.

Cholesterol Lowering Diet Basics

An important concept of the French philosophy towards food is that it should be appreciated simply for enjoyment. The French emphasize freshness and flavor over nutrition and calorie counting. Braux says that we should not have to obsess about our food and that healthy food can and should be one of life’s pleasures.

Braux highlights the importance of presentation because if a food looks appealing, as well as tastes good, then it pleases all our senses and becomes a pleasant experience that we will want to repeat. His basic dietary philosophy is simple: Eat a variety of fresh and healthy foods eat small servings and don’t overcook your food.

Although Braux is not a pure raw food advocate, he recommends preparing many foods either raw or lightly cooked in order to preserve their nutritional qualities. At least 50% of the diet should be comprised of raw foods.

When foods are cooked the preferred methods include steaming, blanching, poaching and stir-frying. Deep-frying, grilling, barbecuing and microwaving are unhealthy food preparation methods that are to be avoided completely.

Specific foods to avoid include margarine, refined sugars, corn syrup, artificial sweeteners and an excessive intake of meat and cheese. Desserts are permitted, but should be limited to weekends and special occasions.

Recommended Foods

Oatmeal, brown rice, kidney beans, garbanzos, lentils, artichokes, garlic, leeks, mushrooms, hot peppers, green peas, apples, blueberries, figs, grapefruit, grapes, prunes, lemon, olives, sardines, salmon, flaxseeds, chia seeds, walnuts, almond, cashew, peanuts, sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds, avocado, raw butter, virgin coconut oil, olive oil, macadamia oil, cheese, yogurt, eggs, grass-fed beef, wild game, free-range poultry, raw cocoa, raw honey, pomegranate juice, red wine, tea.

Sample Diet Plan

Exercise Recommendations

Braux doesn’t place a great deal of emphasis on exercise and says that he would rather that you eat healthy and skip the exercise. However, he does recommend walking and dancing and encourages dieters to discover forms of physical activity that they enjoy.

Costs and Expenses

How to Lower Your Cholesterol With French Gourmet Food retails at $19.95.

Pros

• Provides information about cholesterol and how it affects health.
• Offers an alternative to medication.
• Encourages the intake of raw fruit and vegetables.
• Educates readers about the healthiest cooking methods.
• Includes a seven-day meal plan.
• Includes a variety of delicious recipes.
• Advocates meditation, which can reduce stress and improve general health.

Cons

• Although the author experienced a drop in his cholesterol levels his results could still be regarded as moderately elevated.
• Many dieters may require a stricter approach in order to successfully lower their cholesterol levels.
• Some of the recipes are time consuming.
• No additional online support is available.

Conclusions

This book will appeal to dieters who have elevated cholesterol, enjoy cooking and would like a program that does not require them to forgo the pleasures of gourmet food.

However, this plan may not be adequate for all dieters with very high cholesterol levels including those who need to reduce cholesterol levels quickly.