21 Low-Cholesterol Snacks for a Heart-Healthy Diet
Updated: Mar. 01, 2024
Don't think a heart-healthy diet can be delicious? These low-cholesterol snacks will change your mind.
What are low-cholesterol snacks?
Low-cholesterol snacks include foods that are known to improve your body’s cholesterol levels. Foods that are high in soluble fiber (like oatmeal) are a must because they actually bind to cholesterol and help your body flush it out before it even hits your bloodstream. Other plant foods like fruits and vegetables help your body block cholesterol from being absorbed. (By the way, these are some of the worst foods for your cholesterol.)
To make your own low-cholesterol snack list, focus on fruits and vegetables, whole grains and plant-based proteins. Or just check out ours!
Homemade Guacamole with Baby Carrots
Guacamole may be high in fat but it’s the kind that your heart (and taste buds) love! The healthy fats in avocados lower bad cholesterol levels and satisfy your snack craving. One serving of homemade guacamole packs 90 calories, 8 grams of plant-based fat and 0 cholesterol. Scoop it up with baby carrots instead of tortilla chips. Read up on these health and beauty benefits of carrots.
Apple Slices with Walnuts
For those times when you don’t have time to whip up a homemade snack, keep it quick and simple with the basics. An apple with a handful of walnuts has about 267 calories and is rich in soluble fiber for a cholesterol-busting treat. The fiber and healthy fats will also keep you full until dinner. You’ll also want to try these heart-healthy snacks.
Crispy Kale Chips
Sticking to a heart-healthy diet doesn’t have to mean saying goodbye to crispy chips. Make your own with antioxidant-rich kale. This recipe is bursting with flavor thanks to Old Bay seasoning. Ten kale chips contain about 120 calories, 5 grams of fiber and 4 grams of protein.
Lightly Salted Almond Snack Pack
A month’s worth of low-cholesterol snacks for less than $15? Yes, please! This 32-pack of Blue Diamond almond bags is perfect for stocking your purse, office and pantry with healthy snacks any time hunger strikes. Each pack contains 100 calories and 3 grams of fiber.
Nutty Broccoli Slaw
Eating a diet rich in green veggies like broccoli is linked with lowering LDL cholesterol because they block your body from absorbing it. The nuts in this yummy broccoli slaw will also help lower cholesterol. Make a big batch for afternoon snacking this week; one serving contains about 206 calories and 15 grams of fat. These are some of the healthiest snacks you can buy.
Chipotle Lime Avocado Salad
Looking for a snack with a little more spice? Our Chipotle Lime Avocado Salad is a quick and refreshing heart-healthy snack. The healthy fats in avocados can lower LDL cholesterol while filling you up and preventing the need for more snacking. One serving has 191 calories, 11 grams of healthy fats and 0 cholesterol. If you’re looking for a dinner salad, browse this list of healthy main dish salad recipes.
Nuts and Seeds Trail Mix
Make healthy snacking easier and way more delicious when you keep a large mason jar of nuts and seeds trail mix on your kitchen counter. The nuts and seeds are linked with lower cholesterol levels; the fruit and dark chocolate add heart-healthy antioxidants. Keep portion sizes in mind when reaching for a handful; one-third cup contains 336 calories, 25 grams of fat and 11 grams of protein.
Fruit Smoothie with Almond Milk
Craving something sweet in the afternoon? Toss some frozen berries, sliced banana and almond milk in the blender for a creamy 4 p.m. treat. The healthy fats from the almond milk and antioxidants from the berries can lower LDL cholesterol. A cup of this simple smoothie contains about 162 calories. Here are more healthy smoothie recipes to try.
Roasted Chickpeas
Looking for an easier way to eat more beans? Biena roasted chickpeas are your mouth-watering solution. Each serving contains 140 calories and six grams of fat. You won’t get bored munching on this snack any time soon! Have late-night cravings? Try these indulgent healthy snacks instead of that chocolate bar.
Hummus with Celery Sticks
Dipping veggies in a creamy hummus dip is another tasty option for adding more beans to your diet. Made from fiber-full chickpeas, hummus can help to lower your cholesterol while providing a boost of protein and healthy fats. One serving of dip with a cup of celery sticks is about 250 calories.
KIND Granola over Yogurt
This gluten-free KIND granola combines a variety of cholesterol-lowering foods like oats, nuts and berries. One serving contains 110 calories, 3 grams of fat and 4 grams of fiber. Enjoy on its own or sprinkle over a bowl of fat-free Greek yogurt for a power bowl of vegetarian protein.
Honey Lime Berry Salad
If you’re a fruit salad fan, add this honey lime berry salad to your go-to list immediately. It’s sweet and tart while providing a powerful punch of antioxidants. The berries work double-duty as they both lower LDL cholesterol while helping raise HDL (good) cholesterol. One serving contains about 93 calories and 0 cholesterol.
Berry Breakfast Parfaits
Stomach growling before lunch? Tide yourself over with a berry breakfast parfait; this snack combines a variety of cholesterol-lowering foods like oats, berries and Greek yogurt. One parfait contains 304 calories, 4 grams of fat, 0 cholesterol and 17 grams of protein. Here’s how to wash berries the right way.
Beanitos Chips
Missing your old friend potato chips? Ease the pain with the healthier (and more flavorful) version of Beanitos chips. They’re made from black beans and are a rich source of fiber and plant-based protein. Oh, and they taste like salty, crispy tortilla chips! One serving has 130 calories and 7 grams of fat.
Ants on a Log
That’s right—we’re bringing back your favorite after-school bite because it’s the perfect low-cholesterol snack. Use natural peanut butter to avoid extra sweeteners and high fructose corn syrup. The peanuts will help to lower your LDL cholesterol while adding some much-needed flavor and healthy fats to the celery sticks. A cup of Ants on a Log clocks about 324 calories.
Smoky Cauliflower
When you’re trying to stop junk food cravings, get creative with healthier versions like smoky cauliflower. It’s rich in fiber to lower your cholesterol and takes on a smoky, savory flavor from garlic and paprika. One serving contains just 58 calories, 4 grams of fat and 0 cholesterol. Take a look at these other fun ways to cook cauliflower.
Snap Peas with Primal Kitchen Dressing
Perfect for a last-minute party appetizer or fast after-school snack, snap peas contain plant compounds that lower LDL cholesterol while blocking it from your bloodstream. Serve with an oil-based ranch dressing like this one from Primal Kitchen for a burst of healthy plant-based fats. Learn how to make healthy salad dressing at home, too.
Chewy Granola Bars
When it comes to cholesterol-lowering foods, oatmeal takes the (plant-based) cake. That’s because it’s rich in both soluble and insoluble fiber to help you quickly eliminate cholesterol before it even hits your bloodstream. Make a batch over the weekend to keep on hand for snacking emergencies throughout the week. Each bar contains 160 calories, 7 grams of fat, 19 milligrams of cholesterol and 3 grams of protein. Check out these foods that lower cholesterol naturally.
Whole Grain Toast with Almond Butter and Sliced Strawberries
Upgrade your love for the classic PB&J with a more cholesterol-friendly version. Whole grain toast is high in fiber to lower your total cholesterol level. Eating nuts like almonds has been proven to lower LDL (bad) cholesterol. Instead of sugary jam, add fresh strawberries for a satisfying snack with about 218 calories per slice. If you weren’t sure, this is the difference between whole wheat and whole grain bread.
Black Bean Salsa
Another fiber powerhouse food to add to your snack routine is black beans. They’re rich in soluble fiber to lower cholesterol and take a long time for your body to digest. This means that they’ll keep you full, which can be helpful for weight loss as well. If you need a yummy afternoon snack at work, pack a small glass container of black bean salsa with baked whole-grain chips. One serving of this version has just 70 calories and 0 cholesterol.
Almond & Coconut Kind Bar
This convenient grab-and-go snack combines heart-healthy foods like almonds and rice flour to satisfy your hunger and lower bad cholesterol. Each Kind bar contains 180 calories, 2 grams of fiber and 3 grams of protein. Enjoy one on its own or break it up over a cup of fat-free Greek yogurt.
Originally Published: August 20, 2021
