As an HIV patient, you need to monitor your overall health. Keeping your cholesterol under control can help prevent cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death in the United States. Cholesterol—along with other “blood lipids” or “lipoproteins”—is the way fat circulates in the blood.
Know your numbers!
Knowing your cholesterol numbersis the first step to keeping your cholesterol lower - and keeping your heart healthy. Your healthcare provider (HCP) may check yourcholesterol. If you do not have all of the cholesterol tests done, even just knowing two numbers—your total cholesterol (TC) and LDL-C—can give you a general idea about your cholesterol levels. If your total cholesterol is 200 mg/dL or higher, or if your LDL-C is over 130 mg/dL, ask your HCP for a full cholesterol test to get a better idea of your numbers.
Eating healthy, staying healthy with HIV
Along with keeping track of your cholesterol numbers, eating healthy is a great way to lower the amount of fat in your diet and take control of your heart health. Start by making healthy choices when you’re shopping. In general, choose foods that are low in saturated fat, including fat-free or 1% low-fat dairy products, lean meats, fish, skinless poultry, whole grain foods, fruits, and vegetables.
Here are a few shopping tips from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute for a low-fat diet
- Read nutrition labels on food packages to help you select foods low in saturated fat, transaturated fat, and cholesterol
- Select skim milk or 1% low fat instead of 2% fat or whole milk
- Choose oils with 2 grams or less of saturated fat per tablespoon, such as canola oil and olive oil
- Select soft margarines (in liquid or tub form) over stick varieties
- Buy lean cuts of meat such as round, sirloin, and loin instead of liver and other organ meats
- Choose chicken breasts instead of wings and thighs
Changing your cooking methods can also reduce the amount of fat in your diet.
The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute suggests these simple tips and substitutions for cooking meals:
- Bake, steam, roast, broil, stew, or boil instead of frying to help remove fat
- Take off poultry skin before eating
- Use a nonstick pan with vegetable cooking oil spray or a small amount of liquid vegetable oil instead of using lard, butter, shortening, or other fats that are solid at room temperature
- Trim visible fat before you cook meats
- Use egg whites or egg substitute instead of whole eggs
- Substitute applesauce for fat when baking
- Chill meat and poultry broth until fat becomes solid. Skim off fat before using the broth
Please consult Full Prescribing Information, including boxed WARNING, Medication Guide, and Important Safety Information for VIRAMUNE.
