Cholesterol Lowering Meals
Heart disease is the leading cause of death worldwide. As a registered dietitian, I created these evidence-based, plant-based cholesterol-lowering meals featuring foods shown to help lower LDL cholesterol-including barley, psyllium, beans, soy foods, oats, walnuts, seeds, eggplant, okra, fruits, and vegetables-to support lifelong heart health.
Jump to:
- 🫘 9 Cholesterol Lowering Pantry Staples
- 🗒️Cholesterol-Lowering PDFs
- Oat Recipes
- More Breakfast Recipes
- Vegan Egg Recipes
- Barley Recipes
- Eggplant & Okra Recipes
- Artichoke Recipes
- Bean & Chickpea Recipes
- Bean Soups
- Lentil Recipes
- Lentil Soups
- Edamame Recipes
- Tofu Recipes
- Tempeh Recipes
- Soy Curl Recipes
- Wholesome Breads
- Sauces & Dressings
- 💬 Comments
🫘 9 Cholesterol Lowering Pantry Staples
🗒️Cholesterol-Lowering PDFs
Oat Recipes
Oats are one of the best-studied foods for lowering LDL cholesterol thanks to their beta-glucans, a type of soluble fiber that helps remove cholesterol from the body. Starting your day with oats is one of the easiest ways to support heart health.
- High-Protein Savory Oatmeal
- Healthy Oatmeal with Chia Seeds - Easy & Nutritious Recipe
- Overnight Oats with Chia Seeds (Basic Recipe)
- Baked Protein Oats
- Overnight Oats Recipe (High-Protein, Blood Sugar Friendly)
- Creamy Oat Bran Oats (High-Fiber)
- Oat Groats Yogurt Parfait
- Healthy High-Protein Muesli Recipe (Easy Make-Ahead Breakfast)
- Savory Protein Porridge
- Sheet Pan Red Lentil Protein Pancakes
- No Bake Oat Bars with Peanut Butter & Banana (High-Protein)
- Blended Protein Oats (30G Protein)
- Protein Chia Seed Oatmeal (Apple-Cinnamon)
- Oats with Chia Seeds & Yogurt (High-Protein)
- Breakfast Lentils Vegan Porridge (High-Protein)
- What Are Oat Groats? (And The Healthiest Oatmeal Recipe)
- Miso Vegetable Oats (High Protein)
- Overnight Oats with Chia Seeds (Apple Cinnamon)
More Breakfast Recipes
These nourishing breakfasts feature evidence-based ingredients that support healthy LDL cholesterol levels, including flavanol-rich cocoa, barberries, and psyllium. You'll also learn why the way you brew your coffee can affect LDL cholesterol.
- How to Make Healthy Filter Coffee Without a Machine
- Longevity Powder
- Psyllium Jelly
- Psyllium Husk Benefits + Easy Daily Psyllium Drink Recipe
- Blueberry Cocoa Smoothie (Low-Calorie, High-Protein)
- Natural Protein Smoothie (Dairy-Free, No-Nuts, No Protein Powder)
- Smoothie with Flax (Anti-Aging)
- Blended Chia Pudding with Zucchini
- Baked Berry Oatmeal (32 grams Protein, Vegan)
- High-Protein Vegan Cream Cheese (Nut-Free)
- Vegan Black Bean Brownies (Flourless)
- Healthy Grain-Free Granola (No Oats, Naturally Sweetened)
- Healthy Chocolate Mousse for Lower Cholesterol
- Healthy Chocolate Pudding (High-Protein, High-Fiber)
- Tofu Waffles (Crispy, Savory, High-Protein)
Vegan Egg Recipes
Some people are more sensitive to dietary cholesterol and see a greater rise in LDL after eating eggs. These vegan egg recipes use mung beans, lentils, and tofu for plant protein, plus fiber from the legumes, to support healthier cholesterol levels.
Barley Recipes
Barley is one of the richest sources of beta-glucans-even more than oats by weight in some varieties. For the most fiber, choose hulless barley whenever possible. Its chewy texture makes it perfect for soups, salads, and grain bowls while helping lower LDL cholesterol.
Eggplant & Okra Recipes
Eggplant and okra are two underrated vegetables for heart health. Okra is rich in viscous soluble fiber, while eggplant provides fiber and antioxidant polyphenols, including chlorogenic acid. Together, they make flavorful, satisfying dishes that can help support healthy LDL cholesterol levels.
Artichoke Recipes
Artichokes are naturally rich in fiber and prebiotic inulin, nutrients that support healthy cholesterol levels and gut health. Using frozen or jarred artichoke hearts makes it easy to enjoy them in salads, pasta, dips, and more.
Bean & Chickpea Recipes
Beans and chickpeas are rich in soluble fiber and plant protein, making them one of the most effective foods for naturally lowering LDL cholesterol. Black soybeans are an especially powerful choice. These recipes make it easy to enjoy more legumes in soups, salads, bowls, burgers, and hearty mains.
- White Beans in Cauliflower Cream Sauce
- Broccoli and Bean Salad
- Quinoa White Bean Salad with Creamy Lemon Dressing
- Easy Brothy Pinto Beans
- High-Protein Bean Burgers
- Baked Falafel Recipe with Mung Beans (High-Protein)
- Lemon Basil Chickpea Patties
- Vegan Air Fryer Falafel
- 6-Ingredient Black Bean Chili with Peanut Butter (High-Protein)
- High-Protein Indian Chickpeas and Kale
- Mixed Bean Salad (Quick, High-Protein, Perfect for Any Occasion)
- Creamy White Beans (High-Protein Recipe)
- White Bean Mushroom Stew with Potatoes
- Protein Chili with Beans (35g Protein)
- Lentil & Garbanzo Bean Salad (30 Grams Protein)
- Creamy Gigantes Beans with Leeks
- Best Dense Bean Salad
- Orzo Pasta with Chickpeas
- Easy Bean Curry Recipe
- Best Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad
- Balsamic-Maple Roasted Veggies & Chickpeas
- Garlic Roasted Vegetables & White Beans
- Raw Broccoli Salad With Oil-Free Tahini Dressing
- Cowboy Salad Recipe
- Easy Chickpea Wraps
- The Easiest And Healthiest Golden Hummus Recipe
- Chana Saag: An Easy And Healthy Indian Recipe
Bean Soups
Lentil Recipes
Lentils are one of the most powerful foods for lowering LDL cholesterol, thanks to their abundance of soluble fiber and plant protein. From cozy soups to hearty salads and comforting dinners, these recipes make it easy to enjoy them year-round.
- How to Roast Lentils (Instructions & Recipe)
- Lentil Salad (High-Protein & Perfect for Meal Prep)
- Vegan Walnut Meat Recipe
- Vegan Turkish Lentil Balls Recipe (Mercimek Köfte)
- Easy 6-Ingredient Lentil Burgers
- Easy Masoor Dal Recipe (Indian Red Lentils)
- Easy Lentil Quinoa Salad (High-Protein)
- Salad with Shaved Brussels Sprouts (Anti-Inflammatory)
- Easy Dal (Iron-Rich)
- Quick & Easy 6-Minute Instant Pot Quinoa Lentil Curry
- Easy High-Protein Pasta Sauce
- Healthy High-Protein Meal-Prep Salad Recipe
- Chickpea and Lentil Curry
- Warm Brussels Sprout Salad with Lentils
- Best Vegan Meatloaf
- 30-Gram Protein Creamy Bean Lentil Dip
- Green Pea Hummus
- High-Protein Red Lentil Dip & Spread
- High-Protein Quinoa & Lentils Without Oil
- Lentil Vegan Salad
- Creamy Roasted Beet Hummus (High-Protein)
- Best Vegetable Bowl
- Healthy Sweet Potato Hummus (Vegan, Gluten Free)
- High Protein Pasta Salad with Peas
- Protein Bean Salad
Lentil Soups
Edamame Recipes
Edamame are young whole soybeans that provide both soy protein and fiber-a powerful combination for supporting healthy LDL cholesterol levels. Their sweet flavor and tender bite make them an easy addition to salads, bowls, and snacks.
- Crunchy Chickpea Edamame Salad (Iron-Rich & High-Protein)
- Roasted Edamame
- Superfood Salad
- Salad with Asian Dressing (High Protein)
- Healthy Edamame Cucumber Salad (High-Protein)
- Steamed Rice & Vegetable Bowl (High-Protein Recipe)
- Longevity Miso Bowl (High-Protein)
- Best Edamame Salad
- Kale Edamame Salad
- High-Protein Steamed Vegetable Bowl
- Black Bean Edamame Burgers (Easy & High-Protein)
- Edamame Guacamole: Protein-Rich Vegan Snack
- Kale Strawberry Salad
- Asian Bean Salad
- High-Protein Green Goddess Dip (Creamy, Healthy, Easy)
- Roasted Edamame Bowl with Mushrooms
Tofu Recipes
Tofu is one of the most well-studied foods for naturally lowering LDL cholesterol. Rich in high-quality soy protein and incredibly versatile, it's an easy way to replace animal protein while supporting heart health.
- Crispy Tofu Crumbles (Oven, Air-Fryer, and Stovetop Methods)
- Crispy Tofu Recipe
- Loaded Potato Bowl (High-Protein, Weight-Loss Friendly)
- Easy Tofu Scramble Wrap Recipe
- High-Protein Veggie Wrap
- High-Protein Tofu Soup
- Easy Tofu Curry
- Cooked Vegetable Salad Recipe (High-Protein)
- Best Tofu Bolognese
- Korean Kimchi Fried Rice Recipe
- Easy Tofu and Broccoli Teriyaki
- Stir-Fry Tofu & Veggies (Low-Carb, High-Protein Recipe)
- Quick One-Pan Crispy Tofu Crumbles (7 Ingredients)
- Grated Tofu (Easy, High-Protein)
- How To Cook Frozen Tofu (Crispy, Flavorful & Easy to Season)
- High-Protein Roasted Broccoli Salad
- Sweet Potato Tofu Bowl Recipe
- Tofu Peanuts Noodles
- Easy Vegan Butter Chicken with Tofu
- Simple Tofu Noodles
- Tofu Taco Meat
- Easy Tofu Marinade Recipe (3 Best Vegan Tofu Marinades)
- Tofu Cabbage Stir Fry (Low Carb, High Protein)
- Tofu Meat (Ground Beef)
- High-Protein Tofu Burgers (Gluten-Free)
- Easy Vegan Chipotle Tofu Burgers
- Easy Vegan Kebabs (High-Protein)
- Best Vegan Patties Recipe
- Vegan Deli Meat (High-Protein)
- Tofu Sandwich with Caramelized Onions
- Tofu Quinoa Casserole
- Maple Soy Baked Tofu Steaks
- Crispy Baked Orange Tofu with Potatoes & Green Beans
- Tofu Chili (High-Protein)
- Tofu Steaks in Chipotle Sauce Recipe
- Vermicelli Salad with Crispy Tofu
- Easy Tofu Rice Bowl
- Sesame Soy Silken Tofu (Soft Tofu)
- Easy Marinated Tofu Salad
- Zucchini Lasagna (Vegan, High Protein & No Noodles)
- Easy High-Protein Cabbage Wraps (Meatless + 6 Ingredients)
- Pesto Pasta with Tofu
- Tofu Sandwich (Vegan Pastrami)
- Easy Red Thai Curry with Tofu
Tempeh Recipes
Tempeh is a fermented whole soybean food rich in soy protein, fiber, and heart-healthy nutrients. Replacing foods high in saturated fat with soy foods like tempeh has been shown to help lower LDL cholesterol, while its firm texture and nutty flavor make it a satisfying alternative to meat.
- 'Tempeh That Tastes Good' Vegan Protein Stew Recipe
- Crunch Salad with Tempeh
- High-Protein Tempeh Orzo Bowl (Chipotle Dressing)
- How to Cook Tempeh
- Plant-Based Tempeh Sandwich
- Best Tempeh Burger Recipe
- Tempeh Mushroom Burgers Recipe (Easy, High-Protein, Vegan)
- Tempeh Quinoa Salad
- Protein Bowl
- Easy Tempeh Marinade Recipes
Soy Curl Recipes
Made from whole soybeans, soy curls are rich in soy protein and fiber. Replacing foods high in saturated fat with soy foods like soy curls has been shown to help lower LDL cholesterol, and their meaty texture makes them a satisfying addition to stir-fries, tacos, sandwiches, and bowls.
Wholesome Breads
These breads are made with ingredients like psyllium, flaxseed, and black sesame to boost fiber and support healthy LDL cholesterol levels without sacrificing flavor.
- Vegan Banana Bread Tofu Brownies
- Easy Ground Flaxseed Crackers
- Gluten-Free Oat Bread with Seeds & Dried Fruit (Easy, No Yeast)
- Healthy Banana Bread Recipe
- Gluten-Free Porridge Bread (Easy Seed Bread, No Yeast)
- Best Flaxseed Crackers Recipe
- Black Sesame Cake (Naturally Sweetened Date Cake)
- High Protein Banana Bread
- Lentil Bread (Vegan)
- Quinoa Bread (Gluten-Free, No Yeast, Easy)
- Easy Quinoa Flatbread Recipe (High-Protein)
- Easy Gluten-Free Red Lentil Wraps
- Mung Bean Wraps (High-Protein)
Sauces & Dressings
These flavorful sauces and dressings rely on ingredients like nuts, seeds, herbs, soy, and legumes instead of butter or cream, making it easy to add flavor while supporting healthy LDL cholesterol levels.
- Creamy Harissa Sauce (Oil-Free Harissa Dressing)
- Vegan Caesar Dressing (Creamy Tahini, No Mayo)
- Beet Salad Dressing (Dairy-Free, Oil-Free)
- Creamy Oil-Free Pumpkin Seed Dressing (High Iron & Magnesium)
- Oil-Free Artichoke Salad Dressing Recipe
- Cauliflower Cream (Vegan, Easy & Oil-Free)
- Creamy Green Pasta Sauce (High-Protein & Vegan)
- Tofu Pesto (High-Protein)
- Tofu Pasta Sauce Recipe (High-Protein)
- Tofu Cream (Vegan Cream Sauce Base)
- Best Tofu Sour Cream
