Reviewed by Dietitian Emily Lachtrupp, M.S., RD
Heami Lee, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Christine Keeley
If a recent diagnosis of high cholesterol has you pondering what to add to your diet, you’re in the right place. It’s no secret that your cholesterol levels can have a notable impact on your health. Factors like genetics and diet can cause high levels of low-density lipoproteins (LDLs)—sometimes called “bad cholesterol”—to build up as plaque in your arteries.
Luckily, these easy recipes are lower in saturated fat and high in fiber, which can help you support healthy cholesterol levels. Whether you opt for a tasty breakfast like our Berry-Green Tea Smoothie or a hearty dinner like our Farro & White Bean Salad, there are plenty of delicious recipes to help you manage your cholesterol and feel your best.
No-Bake Breakfast Cookies
Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Pricilla Montiel, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer
Packed with oats, almond butter, chia seeds and dried blueberries, these cookies offer a hefty dose of fiber to keep you feeling full, as well as healthy fats and plant-based protein for lasting energy.
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Garlicky Cabbage Soup
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Margaret Monroe Dickey, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley
Warm, hearty and nourishing, this cabbage soup is rich with the aromatic flavor of garlic and tender-sweet cabbage. Packed with veggies and a savory broth, this soup is perfect as a light meal on its own or as a starter.
Berry-Green Tea Smoothie
Heami Lee, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Christine Keeley
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This vibrant smoothie is a refreshing, nutrient-packed beverage with plenty of anti-inflammatory benefits. It combines antioxidant-rich berries, green tea and omega-3-rich chia seeds with the natural sweetness of dates, blending into a delicious, healthy drink.
Farro & White Bean Salad
Heami Lee, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Christine Keeley
This Mason jar grain salad is the perfect grab-and-go lunch. This colorful salad layers together farro, bell pepper, beets and arugula. White beans add some plant-based protein to help you stay satisfied throughout the afternoon.
Melting Broccoli
Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Lydia Pursell
Slow-roasting broccoli until it’s tender and caramelized, then adding a flavorful liquid to the pan and cooking it a little longer creates a melt-in-your-mouth texture in this savory, satisfying side. Chili crisp adds a touch of heat
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Chocolate-Cherry Protein Shake
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Lindsey Lower
This chocolate-cherry protein shake made with Greek-style yogurt and peanut butter is a protein powerhouse, perfect for a post-workout refuel or a satisfying snack. Cherries provide natural sweetness, and the chocolate flavor from the cocoa complements the peanut butter without any added sugar.
Roasted Cabbage Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette
Ali Redmond
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This roasted cabbage salad combines the sweetness of roasted cabbage with the bright, zesty flavors of lime, orange and cumin. This versatile side dish works well alongside roasted chicken or steak. Or make it a vegetarian main dish by mixing it with brown rice and black beans.
Shredded Wheat with Raisins & Walnuts
Photographer: Jake Sternquist, Food Stylist: Holly Dreesman, Prop Stylist: Lexi Juhl
This shredded wheat with raisins and walnuts is an easy breakfast to reach for when you want something quick with plenty of fiber and healthy fats. For a no-added-sugar breakfast, be sure to use unsweetened shredded wheat cereal.
Pan-Seared Steak with Crispy Herbs & Escarole
This easy dinner takes just 20 minutes to prepare, meaning that seared steak can be a weeknight meal. Cooking herbs in the pan with the steak releases their aroma, infusing it into the meat while creating a crispy garnish. After the steaks and herbs are pan-seared, the escarole is cooked in the same skillet, so this healthy dinner requires minimal cleanup too.
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Orange-Mango Smoothie
Ali Redmond
The vitamin C from the oranges in this smoothie helps support immune health, making it a great staple during cold and flu season. Plus, it tastes just like a creamsicle.
Chicken Parmesan Soup
Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Hannah Greenwood, Food Stylist: Sally McKay
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This dish combines the rich flavors of a traditional chicken Parm—juicy seasoned chicken, tangy marinara sauce and savory Parmesan cheese—with the warmth and comfort of a soup. It’s perfect for those chilly days when you crave something familiar with a fun, innovative twist!
Kale & Chickpea Grain Bowls
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster
This veggie-heavy bowl is loaded with crunch and color, thanks to crispy carrots and chickpeas, fresh kale and a vibrant avocado dressing. It also delivers more than 50% of your daily dose of fiber, key for weight loss, energy and healthy digestion. Bulgur, also called cracked wheat, is a quick-cooking whole grain.
Pumpkin-Date Overnight Oats
The combination of ingredients like oats, flaxmeal and dates makes these pumpkin overnight oats delicious. Dates add natural sweetness, while yogurt adds tang as well as a healthy dose of probiotics to start your day off right.
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Red Lentil Soup with Saffron
Jacob Fox
This hearty red lentil soup uses spices common in Persian cuisine: turmeric, cumin and saffron. Enjoy it with a warm baguette or steamed rice.
Spinach & Fried Egg Grain Bowls
Photographer: Antonis Achilleos, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn
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Wheat berries, a nutty-tasting whole grain with a pleasantly chewy texture, are the base of this hearty bowl. Topped with spinach, peanuts and an egg, these bowls make for a satisfying meal.
High-Protein Peanut Butter, Banana & Blueberry Overnight Oats
Photographer: Jake Sternquist, Food Stylist: Annie Probst, Prop Stylist: Joseph Wanek
These overnight oats pack 17 grams of protein per serving thanks to Greek-style yogurt, peanut butter and soymilk. We sweeten these oats naturally with banana, and add blueberries for more fruity flavor.
Anti-Inflammatory Vegetable-Packed Grain Bowls
Farro provides satisfying chew, while the raw shaved veggies soften slightly in the vinaigrette to become perfectly tender-crisp.
Green Goddess Wrap
Photographer: Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf
A soft and silky green goddess dressing blends with crunchy fresh cucumber and tender greens in this easy wrap. If you prefer, you can ditch the wrap and enjoy the filling as a salad instead.
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English Muffin Pizza with Tomato & Olives
Ted & Chelsea Cavanaugh
This pizza-inspired English muffin topped with tomato, cheese, olives and oregano does triple duty—it’s great as a snack or as part of a delicious breakfast or lunch.
Caramel Apple–Inspired Overnight Oats
Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle, Food Stylist: Amanda Stanfield
This easy recipe takes all the flavors of a caramel apple and imparts them into breakfast. Applesauce ensures the texture is creamy yet light while also providing balance to the sweet-tart flavor of the oats. Crushed honey-roasted peanuts mimic the coating of a caramel apple.
Anti-Inflammatory Lemon-Blueberry Smoothie
Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster, Food Stylist Jennifer Wendorf
The kale, hemp seeds and green tea in this bright, lemony smoothie all contain antioxidants that can help fight inflammation. Banana adds natural sweetness. If you want it a little sweeter, just a touch of honey will do the trick.
Eat-the-Rainbow Vegetable Soup
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall , Prop Stylist: Shell Royster
This vibrant and wholesome soup helps support your well-being. It’s packed with a variety of colorful vegetables, like tomatoes, which contain lycopene, a phytochemical that may help reduce inflammation.
High-Fiber Raspberry-Vanilla Overnight Oats
Photographer: Rachel Marek, Food stylist: Holly Dreesman
Get your day off to a healthy start with these raspberry-vanilla overnight oats. We love sweet fresh raspberries to top off this easy breakfast, but any of your favorite berries or chopped fresh fruit will work well.
Vegetarian Chopped Power Salad with Creamy Cilantro Dressing
Brie Passano
This healthy salad features chickpeas and quinoa for a boost of protein. Cilantro adds color and flavor when blended to make a creamy dressing. Serve this cold salad for lunch or dinner.
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