I have a cheese problem

[Hyroplate]

I have a slightly roasted cholesterol result.

My diet is pretty good. Lots of fruit and veg, meals cooked from scratch, very little sugar or processed food, but cheese is my go to treat/snack.

Can you suggest anything else, that's not full of sugar, or bread based, but still feels satisfying? I.e. Carrot sticks are not the answer!

Has it been caused by cheese? I’ve got a pretty healthy diet and high cholesterol. My doctor has assured me that the healthiest woman he sees has high cholesterol and needs to take medication for it. He says some people just develop high cholesterol and need medication to lower it.

He also says we need dairy to keep osteoporosis at bay.

I’m no doctor, but do you really need to cut out all cheese?

I don't know if it's caused by cheese, but the advice GP has given included reducing it and I do eat a lot of cheese.

It's not so high I need medication. They're just suggesting a retest in a year.

Do you like peanut butter? That's my go to non-cheese snack - I like it with apple wedges for dipping, or spread on oatcakes with either apple or banana on top. I also love the pop at home popcorn kernels - I tend to make it with a healthy dollop of butter and a spoonful of sugar or salt - but you can also make it with just oil and a sprinkle of chilli flakes or herbs for flavour.

Oh yes. I do like peanut butter and apple. Can't stand the way it sticks to the top of your mouth on bread, but on apple it's lovely. Thank you for reminding me.

Low fat cheese?

Nutritional yeast for sprinkling/gratiné type disses.

Marmite on something not too carby?

Combination of low fat cottage/ricotta/cheese spread and marmite on a wholewheat cracker or Ryvita or similar?

Cheese is actually very good for bone density and staving off osteoporosis later in life. Maybe buy the best quality and strongest cheese you can, and have it as a treat instead? The stronger it is, the less you need of it.

My high cholesterol (due to bad genes) husband was told to switch to Edam.

Cottage cheese or mozzarella are both lighter.

Toast with tahini and mashed banana.

Houmous or lentil pate.

Strong cheese is a good shout, you'll eat less. For the supermarket stuff, I think M&S Cornish Cruncher is very good. Like cheese used to taste.

Can you try Longley Farm Cottage cheese? It’s really rich but low fat and high protein. You can blend it and have it on a bagel like cream cheese, it’s better than cream cheese tbh! I’m a cheese addict and it does help with cravings. Alternatively strong flavoured cheeses like Parmesan where you get the cheese hit without a large amount (eg sprinkled on a dish)

Yes, I've been telling myself that while I ate so much of it!

Feta is lowest in cholesterol according to my mum who is going through the exact same dilemma as you.

I quite like a twiglet and similar savoury hit but not how healthy they are.

I like Feta and real full fat cottage cheese but I don't think of them as real cheese. I don't think they have the same satisfaction factor?

You are not alone.😂 After an early menopause which puts me at higher risk of osteoporosis, I've been eating calcium-rich cheese like it's going out of fashion, but my cholesterol level has suffered. Whoops!

Spread some Benecol on the cracker with the cheese 😂

So you don't have cholesterol levels that are worrisome then?

Eat your cheese, but just a tiny bit less at a time. I'm sorry, but replacing real cheese with crap like Edam (to me it's anaemic plastic) etc. or anything else is futile. You will gorge on the REAL cheese after a few days anyway.

I have borderline Total Chol levels, I eat cheese (real), and real butter, and full fat milk etc. Apparently because my ratio is nearly perfect and my triglycerides are low, I am fine. I attend cardiology for Atrial Fibrillation, and not once was I advised to alter my diet. Anyway, we need cholesterol for the brain to ward off dementia/alzheimers. That's my cheese passport sorted as I'm older now lol.

I received a message that says "Your blood test shows you would benefit from lowering your cholesterol. We suggest a repeat test in one year.

For now, please follow this advice:"

And a link to the advice.

Its highly unlikely caused by cheese its most likely genetic

dips made with Greek yogurt. I really love dips and Greek yogurt is a neutral carrier that can take on many flavors.

mostly though, everything in moderation. Add some fruit or vegetables to your cheese platter. You will eat a bit less cheese but still be satisfied.

What are your ratios and triglyceride levels? I was told that if both those measurements were within the advised range, all was well, even if total cholesterol was slightly raised.

So my total is 5.4 (raised)
Ratio 3.5
Triglyceride 1.03

I was given no instructions to do anything about it, and my GP is happy since triglycerides are quite low and ratio is good.

Am still eating the cheese! 😊

Nuts, olives, homemade granola with yoghurt. I like having leftover chicken or gammon in the fridge to pick at.
Dunking carrots in hummus makes them a bit more appealing!

You could try taking plant sterols before you eat your cheese. Some studies claim it competes with the cholesterol.

Also HDL cholesterol helps remove LDL from your blood and into your liver to be processed out. So make sure you’re having nuts, seeds and olive oil and oily fish.

In terms of satisfying snacks I enjoy dried fruits (though they can be high in sugar) as well as peanut butter and apples or Greek yoghurt

I love cheese (although not that goaty stuff), but need to eat less of everything! Seriously Spreadable (and the Lighter version) are not bad on things.

Hi op, what were your actual levels?

My cholesterol is high at 6.6 but as with PP, because my HDL is high and my ratios are very good, GP told me it was fine.

I have looked into it and I think mine is so high because I drink two or three big cups of unfiltered coffee each day. I've considered switching to the aeropress but it just doesn't give the same taste as the espresso maker. I also eat 4 squares of 90% chocolate every day. Can't help.

But I also eat insane amounts of fibre which is brilliant for cholesterol, plus olive oil and olives and oats etc.

Find out your actual numbers OP. They will be on your app.

Have you tried this stuff? REALLY cheesy and satisfying as far as cottage cheese goes.