Try plant proteins

You also might try adding more plant-based proteins to replace animal-based proteins at some meals. Foods such as beans, lentils, chickpeas and soy give you protein without the unhealthy fats found in many animal-based foods. You do not have to change everything at once. You can start by adding beans to meals or choosing a few plant-based meals each week.

Sterols and stanols are substances found in plants that help block the absorption of cholesterol. Foods or spreads that have been fortified with sterols or stanols are available.

Margarines and orange juice with added plant sterols can help lower LDL cholesterol. Adding 2 grams of sterol to your diet every day can lower your LDL cholesterol by 5% to 15%.

It's not clear whether foods with plant sterols or stanols lower your risk of heart attack or stroke — although experts assume that foods that lower cholesterol do cut the risk. Plant sterols or stanols don't appear to affect levels of triglycerides or of HDL cholesterol.