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Dr. Suhail M. Marfani — Health Matters
Conditions we treat

High Cholesterol

Lipid disorders, heart-attack and stroke risk, healthy habits and a cholesterol diet plan.

High Cholesterol Food Guide — search rice, roti, dal and 200 more foods, rated Green / Amber / Red for saturated fat.

Open the Food Guide

International Foods · High Cholesterol

Common foods eaten around the world.

Educational guidance only — not a personal diet prescription. Content is medically reviewed and based on recognised clinical guidelines — see references. If you have feedback or a suggestion to improve this website, .

Snacks & Desserts — illustrative photo
Green · Choose more often

Air-popped popcorn

popcorn

Heart-friendly choice — low in saturated fat; fibre and healthy fats help lower cholesterol.

Portion: 3 cups (about 24 g)

Almonds — food photograph
Green · Choose more often

Almonds

badam, lawz

Heart-friendly choice — low in saturated fat; fibre and healthy fats help lower cholesterol.

Portion: 10–12 almonds (about 15 g)

Apple — food photograph
Green · Choose more often

Apple

mansanas, seb, tuffah

Heart-friendly choice — low in saturated fat; fibre and healthy fats help lower cholesterol.

Portion: 1 small (about 150 g)

Fruits — illustrative photo
Green · Choose more often

Avocado

abukado, butter fruit

Heart-friendly choice — low in saturated fat; fibre and healthy fats help lower cholesterol.

Portion: ¼ fruit (about 50 g)

Banana — food photograph
Green · Choose more often

Banana

kela, mauz, saging

Heart-friendly choice — low in saturated fat; fibre and healthy fats help lower cholesterol.

Portion: 1 small (about 100 g)

Drinks & Beverages — illustrative photo
Green · Choose more often

Black coffee

kahwa (black), kape

Heart-friendly choice — low in saturated fat; fibre and healthy fats help lower cholesterol.

Portion: 1 cup (about 240 g)

Boiled Potato — food photograph
Green · Choose more often

Boiled potato

aloo, batata, patatas

Heart-friendly choice — low in saturated fat; fibre and healthy fats help lower cholesterol.

Portion: 1 medium (about 150 g)

Vegetables — illustrative photo
Green · Choose more often

Boiled sweet potato (kamote)

camote, shakarkandi

Heart-friendly choice — low in saturated fat; fibre and healthy fats help lower cholesterol.

Portion: 1 medium (about 130 g)

Vegetables — illustrative photo
Green · Choose more often

Broccoli

brokoli

Heart-friendly choice — low in saturated fat; fibre and healthy fats help lower cholesterol.

Portion: 1 cup cooked (about 156 g)

Brown Rice — food photograph
Green · Choose more often

Brown rice

red rice, unpolished rice

Heart-friendly choice — low in saturated fat; fibre and healthy fats help lower cholesterol.

Portion: ½ cup cooked (about 100 g)

Vegetables — illustrative photo
Green · Choose more often

Carrot

gajar, jazar, karot

Heart-friendly choice — low in saturated fat; fibre and healthy fats help lower cholesterol.

Portion: 1 medium (about 61 g)

Vegetables — illustrative photo
Green · Choose more often

Cauliflower

gobi, qarnabeet

Heart-friendly choice — low in saturated fat; fibre and healthy fats help lower cholesterol.

Portion: 1 cup cooked (about 124 g)

Pulses & Legumes — illustrative photo
Green · Choose more often

Chickpeas (boiled)

garbanzos, hummus beans, kabuli chana

Heart-friendly choice — low in saturated fat; fibre and healthy fats help lower cholesterol.

Portion: ½ cup (about 82 g)

Grains & Cereals — illustrative photo
Green · Choose more often

Cornflakes

breakfast cereal

Heart-friendly choice — low in saturated fat; fibre and healthy fats help lower cholesterol.

Portion: 1 cup (about 30 g)

Cucumber Salad — food photograph
Green · Choose more often

Cucumber salad

kheera, khiyar, pipino

Heart-friendly choice — low in saturated fat; fibre and healthy fats help lower cholesterol.

Portion: 1 cup (about 120 g)

Egg Boiled — food photograph
Green · Choose more often

Egg (boiled)

anda, bayd, itlog

Heart-friendly choice — low in saturated fat; fibre and healthy fats help lower cholesterol.

Portion: 1 large egg (about 50 g)

Fruits — illustrative photo
Green · Choose more often

Grapes

angoor, inab, ubas

Heart-friendly choice — low in saturated fat; fibre and healthy fats help lower cholesterol.

Portion: 15 grapes (about 75 g)

Drinks & Beverages — illustrative photo
Green · Choose more often

Green tea

sabz chai, shai akhdar

Heart-friendly choice — low in saturated fat; fibre and healthy fats help lower cholesterol.

Portion: 1 cup (about 240 g)

Protein Foods — illustrative photo
Green · Choose more often

Grilled chicken breast

chicken breast

Heart-friendly choice — low in saturated fat; fibre and healthy fats help lower cholesterol.

Portion: palm-size piece (about 100 g)

Grilled Fish — food photograph
Green · Choose more often

Grilled white fish

hammour, machli, samak

Heart-friendly choice — low in saturated fat; fibre and healthy fats help lower cholesterol.

Portion: palm-size piece (about 120 g)

Snacks & Desserts — illustrative photo
Green · Choose more often

Honey

asal, pulot, shahad

Heart-friendly choice — low in saturated fat; fibre and healthy fats help lower cholesterol.

Portion: 1 tablespoon (about 21 g)

Pulses & Legumes — illustrative photo
Green · Choose more often

Kidney beans (boiled)

frijoles, rajma (plain)

Heart-friendly choice — low in saturated fat; fibre and healthy fats help lower cholesterol.

Portion: ½ cup (about 90 g)

Fruits — illustrative photo
Green · Choose more often

Kiwi fruit

kiwi

Heart-friendly choice — low in saturated fat; fibre and healthy fats help lower cholesterol.

Portion: 1 medium (about 75 g)

Low Fat Milk — food photograph
Green · Choose more often

Low-fat milk

gatas, skimmed milk, toned milk

Heart-friendly choice — low in saturated fat; fibre and healthy fats help lower cholesterol.

Portion: 1 cup (250 ml) (about 250 g)

Naan — food photograph
Green · Choose more often

Naan (white flour)

nan, tandoori naan

Heart-friendly choice — low in saturated fat; fibre and healthy fats help lower cholesterol.

Portion: 1 piece (about 90 g)

Orange — food photograph
Green · Choose more often

Orange / kinnow

burtuqal, dalandan, kinnow, malta

Heart-friendly choice — low in saturated fat; fibre and healthy fats help lower cholesterol.

Portion: 1 medium (about 130 g)

Fruits — illustrative photo
Green · Choose more often

Pear

kummathra, nashpati, peras

Heart-friendly choice — low in saturated fat; fibre and healthy fats help lower cholesterol.

Portion: 1 small (about 150 g)

Milk & Dairy — illustrative photo
Green · Choose more often

Plain Greek yogurt

strained yogurt

Heart-friendly choice — low in saturated fat; fibre and healthy fats help lower cholesterol.

Portion: ¾ cup (about 150 g)

Grains & Cereals — illustrative photo
Green · Choose more often

Quinoa

kinwa

Heart-friendly choice — low in saturated fat; fibre and healthy fats help lower cholesterol.

Portion: ½ cup cooked (about 90 g)

Rolled Oats — food photograph
Green · Choose more often

Rolled oats

jai, oatmeal

Heart-friendly choice — low in saturated fat; fibre and healthy fats help lower cholesterol.

Portion: ½ cup dry (about 40 g)

Vegetables — illustrative photo
Green · Choose more often

Spinach (plain cooked)

kangkong (similar), palak, sabanekh

Heart-friendly choice — low in saturated fat; fibre and healthy fats help lower cholesterol.

Portion: 1 cup cooked (about 180 g)

Fruits — illustrative photo
Green · Choose more often

Strawberries

berries, farawla

Heart-friendly choice — low in saturated fat; fibre and healthy fats help lower cholesterol.

Portion: 1 cup (about 150 g)

Vegetables — illustrative photo
Green · Choose more often

Sweet corn

bhutta, mais

Heart-friendly choice — low in saturated fat; fibre and healthy fats help lower cholesterol.

Portion: ½ cup (about 80 g)

Snacks & Desserts — illustrative photo
Green · Choose more often

Table sugar

asukal, cheeni, sukkar

Heart-friendly choice — low in saturated fat; fibre and healthy fats help lower cholesterol.

Portion: 1 teaspoon (about 4 g)

Protein Foods — illustrative photo
Green · Choose more often

Tofu

soybean curd, tokwa

Heart-friendly choice — low in saturated fat; fibre and healthy fats help lower cholesterol.

Portion: 100 g (about 100 g)

Vegetables — illustrative photo
Green · Choose more often

Tomato

kamatis, tamatar, tamatim

Heart-friendly choice — low in saturated fat; fibre and healthy fats help lower cholesterol.

Portion: 1 medium (about 123 g)

Snacks & Desserts — illustrative photo
Green · Choose more often

Walnuts

akhrot, jawz

Heart-friendly choice — low in saturated fat; fibre and healthy fats help lower cholesterol.

Portion: 6–7 halves (about 15 g)

Water — food photograph
Green · Choose more often

Water

maa, pani, tubig

Heart-friendly choice — low in saturated fat; fibre and healthy fats help lower cholesterol.

Portion: 6–8 glasses a day (about 250 g)

Fruits — illustrative photo
Green · Choose more often

Watermelon

batikh, pakwan, tarbooz

Heart-friendly choice — low in saturated fat; fibre and healthy fats help lower cholesterol.

Portion: 1 cup cubes (about 150 g)

Breads & Chapati — illustrative photo
Green · Choose more often

White bread

sandwich bread, tasty bread

Heart-friendly choice — low in saturated fat; fibre and healthy fats help lower cholesterol.

Portion: 1 slice (about 28 g)

White Rice — food photograph
Green · Choose more often

White rice (boiled)

basmati, bhaat, chawal, kanin, ruz

Heart-friendly choice — low in saturated fat; fibre and healthy fats help lower cholesterol.

Portion: ½ cup cooked (1 fist) (about 100 g)

Breads & Chapati — illustrative photo
Green · Choose more often

Whole-wheat bread

brown bread

Heart-friendly choice — low in saturated fat; fibre and healthy fats help lower cholesterol.

Portion: 1 slice (about 32 g)

Grains & Cereals — illustrative photo
Green · Choose more often

Whole-wheat pasta

pasta

Heart-friendly choice — low in saturated fat; fibre and healthy fats help lower cholesterol.

Portion: 1 cup cooked (about 140 g)

Breads & Chapati — illustrative photo
Green · Choose more often

Whole-wheat pita

brown khubz

Heart-friendly choice — low in saturated fat; fibre and healthy fats help lower cholesterol.

Portion: 1 small (about 40 g)

Drinks & Beverages — illustrative photo
Green · Choose more often

Zero-sugar soft drink

diet cola, zero

Heart-friendly choice — low in saturated fat; fibre and healthy fats help lower cholesterol.

Portion: 1 can (330 ml) (about 330 g)

Drinks & Beverages — illustrative photo
Amber · Watch your portion

Coconut water

buko juice, nariyal pani

Low in saturated fat but sugary — limit to help triglycerides.

Portion: 1 glass (250 ml) (about 240 g)

Drinks & Beverages — illustrative photo
Amber · Watch your portion

Cola / soft drink

coke, pepsi, soda

Low in saturated fat but sugary — limit to help triglycerides.

Portion: 1 can (330 ml) (about 330 g)

Snacks & Desserts — illustrative photo
Amber · Watch your portion

Dark chocolate (70%+)

dark chocolate

Moderate fat — choose a small portion and cook with less oil or ghee.

Portion: 2 squares (about 20 g)

Snacks & Desserts — illustrative photo
Amber · Watch your portion

Digestive biscuits

biskut, cookies

Low in saturated fat but sugary — limit to help triglycerides.

Portion: 2 biscuits (about 30 g)

Drinks & Beverages — illustrative photo
Amber · Watch your portion

Orange juice

aseer, fruit juice

Low in saturated fat but sugary — limit to help triglycerides.

Portion: 1 glass (250 ml) (about 250 g)

Snacks & Desserts — illustrative photo
Amber · Watch your portion

Peanuts

ful sudani, mani, moongphali

Moderate fat — choose a small portion and cook with less oil or ghee.

Portion: small handful (about 30 g)

Snacks & Desserts — illustrative photo
Amber · Watch your portion

Pistachios

fustuq, pista

Moderate fat — choose a small portion and cook with less oil or ghee.

Portion: about 30 nuts (about 30 g)

Protein Foods — illustrative photo
Amber · Watch your portion

Salmon

salmon

Moderate fat — choose a small portion and cook with less oil or ghee.

Portion: palm-size piece (about 100 g)

Protein Foods — illustrative photo
Red · Limit / avoid routinely

Beef burger

hamburger

High in saturated fat or fried — raises LDL cholesterol. Keep for occasional small portions.

Portion: 1 burger (about 220 g)

Milk & Dairy — illustrative photo
Red · Limit / avoid routinely

Cheddar cheese

cheese, keso

High in saturated fat or fried — raises LDL cholesterol. Keep for occasional small portions.

Portion: 1 slice / 30 g (about 30 g)

Snacks & Desserts — illustrative photo
Red · Limit / avoid routinely

French fries

chips, fries

High in saturated fat or fried — raises LDL cholesterol. Keep for occasional small portions.

Portion: 1 medium portion (about 117 g)

Milk & Dairy — illustrative photo
Red · Limit / avoid routinely

Full-cream milk

whole milk

High in saturated fat or fried — raises LDL cholesterol. Keep for occasional small portions.

Portion: 1 cup (250 ml) (about 250 g)

Snacks & Desserts — illustrative photo
Red · Limit / avoid routinely

Ice cream

kulfi (similar), sorbetes

High in saturated fat or fried — raises LDL cholesterol. Keep for occasional small portions.

Portion: ½ cup (about 66 g)

Snacks & Desserts — illustrative photo
Red · Limit / avoid routinely

Milk chocolate

chocolate bar

High in saturated fat or fried — raises LDL cholesterol. Keep for occasional small portions.

Portion: 1 small bar (about 40 g)

Snacks & Desserts — illustrative photo
Red · Limit / avoid routinely

Pizza

pizza

High in saturated fat or fried — raises LDL cholesterol. Keep for occasional small portions.

Portion: 2 slices (about 200 g)

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