Skip to content

Top Navigation

Better Homes & Gardens
Better Homes & Gardens
  • Gardening
  • Home Improvement Ideas
  • Cleaning and Organizing
  • Recipes and Cooking
  • Decorating
  • Holidays
  • Rooms
  • Shopping

Profile Menu

Join Now

Account

  • Join Now
  • My Profile
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletter
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout

More

  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • BH&G Books this link opens in a new tab
My Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • My Profile
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletter
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout

More

  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • BH&G Books this link opens in a new tab
Login
Subscribe
Pin

Explore Better Homes & Gardens

Better Homes & Gardens
Better Homes & Gardens
  • Explore

    Explore

    • The Only Weed Identification Guide You'll Ever Need: 33 Common Weedy Plants to Watch For

      The Only Weed Identification Guide You'll Ever Need: 33 Common Weedy Plants to Watch For

      Don't let these pesky plants crash your garden party! The first step is to know your enemy. Then you'll know the best way to deal with your weed problem. Read More
    • 6 Small Steps You Can Take Today to Get Organized for Good

      6 Small Steps You Can Take Today to Get Organized for Good

      A professional organizer offers advice on how to tidy up your home without feeling overwhelmed. Read More
    • 5 Anti-Inflammatory Ingredients to Add to Your Smoothie for a Healthy Boost

      5 Anti-Inflammatory Ingredients to Add to Your Smoothie for a Healthy Boost

      Anti-inflammatory smoothies do exist! Instead of blending in boatloads of sugar and artificial ingredients, try these smoothies for inflammation that are stoked with ingredients that may help lower your risk for chronic diseases including cancer, heart disease, depression, and more. Read More
  • Gardening

    Gardening

    See All Gardening
    4 DIY Seed-Starting Pots You Can Make With Items You Already Have

    4 DIY Seed-Starting Pots You Can Make With Items You Already Have

    Upcycle old newspapers, junk mail, and other waste paper to make these easy, eco-friendly containers you can use to sprout new plants for your garden.
    • Flowers
    • Houseplants
    • Plant Encyclopedia
    • Garden Pests
    • Trees, Shrubs & Vines
    • Caring for Your Yard
    • Edible Gardening
    • Garden Design
    • Gardening By Region
    • Landscaping
  • Home Improvement Ideas

    Home Improvement Ideas

    See All Home Improvement Ideas
    What Style Is Your House? The 10 Most Popular American House Styles

    What Style Is Your House? The 10 Most Popular American House Styles

    In a world full of so many different house styles, it can be a little challenging just to narrow down your own home's architectural style, let alone edit the list down to your favorite style or understand the distinctions characteristic to each house style. We'll show you the 10 most popular American house styles, including Cape Cod, French Country, Colonial, Victorian, Tudor, Craftsman, Cottage, Mediterranean, ranch-style, and Contemporary.
    • Home Exteriors
    • DIY Home Electrical Tips & Guides
    • Outdoor Structures
    • Home Remodeling
    • Plumbing Installations & Repairs
    • Remodeling Advice & Planning
    • Flooring
    • Lighting
    • Decks
    • Porches
  • Cleaning and Organizing

    Cleaning and Organizing

    See All Cleaning and Organizing
    A Whole-House Cleaning Schedule You'll Actually Stick To

    A Whole-House Cleaning Schedule You'll Actually Stick To

    Cleaning your home doesn't have to be a daunting, time-consuming chore. The key to managing household duties quickly and efficiently is to design an easy-to-follow routine that includes all the most important tasks. Follow these step-by-step instructions for creating a customized whole-home cleaning schedule.
    • House Cleaning
    • Laundry & Linens
    • Cleaning Tips
    • Closet Organization
    • Organization Tips
    • Kitchen Storage Organization
  • Recipes and Cooking

    Recipes and Cooking

    See All Recipes and Cooking
    21 Baking Essentials Every Home Cook Needs (Plus 16 Nice-to-Haves)

    21 Baking Essentials Every Home Cook Needs (Plus 16 Nice-to-Haves)

    Whether you're a beginning baker just starting out or a master chef looking to declutter, we'll help you set up a beginner's baking essentials kit with 21 tools. For anyone who already owns these handy baking tools, this list may finally provide the motivation you need to get rid of that soufflé dish you never use. Building your baking equipment inventory starts here.
    • How to Cook
    • Chicken Recipes
    • Desserts & Baking
    • Fish Recipes
    • Beef Recipes
    • Healthy Recipes
    • Breakfast and Brunch Recipes
    • Lunch
    • Dinner Recipes & Meal Ideas
    • Ethnic Food
  • Decorating

    Decorating

    See All Decorating
    7 Interior Design Trends Everyone Will Be Trying in 2021, According to Experts

    7 Interior Design Trends Everyone Will Be Trying in 2021, According to Experts

    Designers weigh in on the most popular decorating styles, colors, and materials you can look forward to in the coming year.
    • Choosing Color
    • Expert Decorating Advice
    • Fireplace Design Ideas
    • Do It Yourself Magazine
    • Window Treatments
    • Styles & Decor
    • Interior Painting
    • Home Makeovers
    • Small-Space Decorating
    • Traditional Home
  • Holidays

    Holidays

    See All Holidays
    International Women's Day: The Powerful Story Behind This 111-Year-Old Tradition

    International Women's Day: The Powerful Story Behind This 111-Year-Old Tradition

    What began as a small movement, has grown into a global holiday dedicated to celebrating the strong women in our communities.
    • Valentine's Day
    • Mother's Day
    • Easter
    • Father's Day
    • Fourth of July/Memorial Day
    • Halloween
    • Thanksgiving
    • Christmas
    • New Year's
    • Juneteenth
    • Hanukkah
  • Rooms

    Rooms

    See All Rooms
    Living Room Furniture Layout Ideas

    Living Room Furniture Layout Ideas

    Get tips for arranging living room furniture in a way that creates a comfortable and welcoming environment and makes the most of your space.
    • Bedroom Decorating and Design Ideas
    • Bathroom Decorating and Design Ideas
    • Kitchen Decorating and Design Ideas
    • Living Room Decorating and Design
    • Dining Room
    • Home Office
    • Kid's Rooms
    • Baby Nursery
  • Shopping

Profile Menu

Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
Join Now

Account

  • Join Now
  • My Profile
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletter
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout

More

  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • BH&G Books this link opens in a new tab
My Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • My Profile
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletter
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout

More

  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • BH&G Books this link opens in a new tab
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

  1. BHG.com
  2. Recipes and Cooking
  3. Healthy Recipes
  4. Low-Cholesterol Recipes
  5. Foods that Lower Triglycerides

Foods that Lower Triglycerides

June 09, 2015
Skip gallery slides
Save Pin FB
swap spaghetti and meatballs for pasta primavera
Almost one in five adults has high triglycerides. Help lower your unhealthy cholesterol numbers the natural way by eating the right foods and making the right choices. Our healthy swaps will get you started.
Start Slideshow

1 of 9

Save Pin FB
Tweet Email Send Text Message

Food Swaps to Lower Triglycerides

swap spaghetti and meatballs for pasta primavera

Got high triglycerides (a bad form of cholesterol)? The culprit is likely consistently overeating or eating too much sugar, saturated fat, or refined carbohydrate, such as white bread.

You can naturally lower your triglycerides by making the following simple food swaps. They'll help you get your triglycerides under control and help you maintain a healthy weight.

1 of 9

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 9

Save Pin FB
Tweet Email Send Text Message

Better Breakfast Bread Choice

bagel with cream cheese for english muffin

Instead of: Bagel with cream cheese

Choose: Whole wheat English muffin with 1 tablespoon of peanut butter or other nut butter

Why make the switch: The English muffin breakfast has fewer calories (helping you keep your weight in check). The nut butter has good fats, which replace the bad fats you'd get from the cream cheese.

2 of 9

3 of 9

Save Pin FB
Tweet Email Send Text Message

Better Breakfast Egg Choice

swap egg-white veggie omelet for cheese omelet

Instead of: Cheese omelet

Choose: Egg-white omelet with spinach, onions, peppers (or any vegetables you like), with or without one slice of whole wheat toast

Why make the switch: Skipping the yolks and the cheese lowers the saturated fat and the sodium in this breakfast. And adding veggies is always a good choice when it comes to your health.

3 of 9

Advertisement

4 of 9

Save Pin FB
Tweet Email Send Text Message

Better Breakfast Cereal

swap chocolate sugary cereal for whole-grain

Instead of: Sugar-frosted, honey-dipped, or chocolate cereal

Choose: 100-percent whole grain cereals, such as shredded wheat, Total, Kashi, or oatmeal; fat-free milk; and 1 tablespoon of chopped almonds

Why make the switch: Whole grain cereals help manage triglycerides and blood sugars.

Tip: Eating fewer carbohydrates in general and focusing on healthy carbohydrates, such as whole grain breads and brown rice, can help lower triglycerides by as much as 28 percent.

4 of 9

5 of 9

Save Pin FB
Tweet Email Send Text Message

Better Drink Choice

soda orange juice tea water

Instead of: Soda or fruit drinks

Choose: Flavored seltzers,fat-free milk or low-fat soymilk, unsweetened tea

Why make the switch: Sweetened drinks contribute to weight gain, which can raise your triglyceride levels. Now that America is aware of the risks of sugary drinks, the beverage aisle has more options than ever for sparkling waters, and other unsweetened (or lightly sweetened) drinks.

FYI: Women, if your waist measures 35 inches or more (or men, 40 inches or more), you are at risk for developing high triglycerides.

5 of 9

6 of 9

Save Pin FB
Tweet Email Send Text Message

Better Sandwich Choice

swap grilled turkey sandwich for roast beef sandwich

Instead of: Roast beef on rye with mayo

Choose: Turkey breast on whole grain bread with lettuce, tomato, and mustard

Why make the switch: Swapping sandwiches saves you 12 grams of fat and 214 calories, both significant factors in your triglyceride levels.

6 of 9

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 9

Save Pin FB
Tweet Email Send Text Message

Better Afternoon Snack Choice

chocolate chip cookie unsalted nuts

Instead of: Cookies

Choose: One handful of unsalted nuts (about 10-12 nuts) with a cup of tea, fat-free milk, or water

Why make the switch: Nuts are high in healthy fats and heart-healthy compounds like vitamin E and resveratrol. Bonus, they pack a punch of protein to keep you feeling full longer than a sugary snack.

7 of 9

8 of 9

Save Pin FB
Tweet Email Send Text Message

Better Pasta Dinner Choice

spaghetti meatballs pasta primavera

Instead of: Spaghetti and meatballs

Choose: Whole grain pasta primavera with broccoli, onions, carrots, and peas lightly sauteed with garlic and olive oil

Why make the switch: Meatballs have saturated fat and sodium. Whole grains and vegetables add fiber and heart-healthy compounds. For a protein boost you can add beans, salmon, or other heart-smart protein sources.

8 of 9

9 of 9

Save Pin FB
Tweet Email Send Text Message

Better Mexican Food Dinner Choice

swap beef and cheese burrito for veggie burrito

Instead of: Cheese and beef burrito with refried beans

Choose: Vegetable burrito (whole wheat) with black beans (no lard or butter), 2 tablespoons of guacamole

Why make the switch: Cheese and beef are high in saturated fat. Lower the fat content by adding vegetables and beans. Guacamole comes from avocados, a heart-healthy food, and still offers the yummy creamy texture of refried beans or other fat-laden spreads.

9 of 9

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

    Share the Gallery

    Pinterest Facebook
    Trending Videos
    Advertisement
    Skip slide summaries

    Everything in This Slideshow

    Advertisement

    View All

    1 of 9 Food Swaps to Lower Triglycerides
    2 of 9 Better Breakfast Bread Choice
    3 of 9 Better Breakfast Egg Choice
    4 of 9 Better Breakfast Cereal
    5 of 9 Better Drink Choice
    6 of 9 Better Sandwich Choice
    7 of 9 Better Afternoon Snack Choice
    8 of 9 Better Pasta Dinner Choice
    9 of 9 Better Mexican Food Dinner Choice

    Share & More

    Tweet Email Send Text Message
    • Better Homes & Gardens BHG Logo Products at Walmart
    • Better Homes & Gardens BHG Real Estate Real Estate Services
    Better Homes & Gardens

    Magazines & More

    Learn More

    • About Us
    • Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
    • Books from Better Homes & Gardens
    • Help
    • Advertise
    • Content Licensing
    • Accolades this link opens in a new tab

    Connect

    Subscribe to Our Newsletter
    Sign Up
    MeredithBH&G is part of the Meredith Home Group. © Copyright 2022 Meredith Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
    © Copyright Better Homes & Gardens. All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.bhg.com

    Sign in

    View image

    Foods that Lower Triglycerides
    this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.