Despite all of our differences on a wide variety of topics we all agree on one thing and that is we all like to have alternatives for just about everything in our lives. So why shouldn’t we have alternatives when it comes to which foods we eat to help lower our cholesterol. Enough with the chicken already you need a good piece of Salmon to balance out that low cholesterol diet plan. 

Salmon is a great alternative to help you bring down your cholesterol level. Several health organizations and many medical doctors recommend eating fish (particularly fatty fish such as mackerel, lake trout, herring, sardines, albacore tuna, and salmon) at least two times a week. Salmon are either caught in the wild or grown on a fish farm. Both are good for you but, there have been some concerns about chemical use with farm raised salmon. If that may be an issue for you, check out the source for your Salmon before you purchase it. You would hate to get home only to have to return to the store for a refund later. 

The heart benefits from eating Salmon for heart health are many but one of the biggest reasons to eat Salmon is because of its high levels of Omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids are considered essential fatty acids. They are very important for your health and cannot be manufactured by your body and must be obtained from the foods you eat. Omega-3 fatty acids help improve your heart health by decreasing the ability of your blood platelets to stick together. 

Over time this may lead to a blood clot which can block arteries in the heart. Omega-3 fatty acids also help to prevent an irregular heart beat; they help to improve the elasticity of blood vessels and to lower triglyceride levels and blood pressure. When you add in the health benefits and the fact that Salmon taste great when cooked it not hard to see why this particular fish is an excellent Low Cholesterol Diet Alternative to eating red meat.

I often like to prepare my Salmon with a little bit of Olive oil and Lemon Pepper for seasoning in an open pan for a few minutes on each side. Served up with a salad or sliced tomatoes, a little wine and I am a happy camper. Below is a Salmon recipe for you to try out for yourself. 

Baked Salmon Dijon 

This salmon dish is easy to make and a nice treat for family and friends. 

•1 c fat free sour cream 

•2 tsp dried dill 

•3 Tbsp scallions, finely chopped 

•2 Tbsp Dijon mustard 

•2 Tbsp lemon juice 

•1 ½ lbs salmon fillet with skin, cut in center 

•½ tsp garlic powder 

•½ tsp black pepper 

•As needed, fat free cooking spray 

1. Whisk sour cream, dill, onion, mustard and lemon juice in small bowl to blend. 

2. Preheat oven to 400° F. Lightly oil baking sheet with cooking spray. 

3. Place salmon, skin side down, on prepared sheet. Sprinkle with garlic powder and pepper. Spread with the sauce. 

4. Bake salmon until just opaque in center, about 20 minutes. 

Yield: 6 servingsServing size: 1 piece (4 oz) 

Each serving provides: 

Calories: 196
Total fat: 7 g
Saturated fat: 2 g
Cholesterol: 76 mg
Sodium: 229 mg
Total fiber: less than 1 g
Protein: 27 g
Carbohydrates: 5 g 

Adding Salmon to your low cholesterol diet plan is a good way to improve your heart health and lower your heart attack risk. Good luck with your cholesterol reduction efforts and enjoy the recipe I’ve given you.

Here's another cholesterol diet related article you may find interesting: