We’ve done a post about 
Reducing cholesterol, however, isn’t just about cutting out harmful foods. It’s about eating the right foods. Include the following foods in your diet and watch your bad numbers go down and your good ones shoot up!
Nuts
In the mood for a quick pick-me-up snack? Reach for a handful of nuts. High in monounsaturated fats, just an ounce or two a day can reduce your overall cholesterol by up to 10 percent. Any kind of nut will do, whether you prefer peanuts, almonds, cashews, pecans, or walnuts. Eat them plain, as a nut spread, or add them to your yogurt, oatmeal, or salad. Don’t go eating those overly salted nuts, though, that defeats the purpose.
Oatmeal
Start your day off right with a cholesterol-lowering breakfast. Oats and barley are two of the best sources of soluble fiber, the part of food that actually blocks your body from absorbing bad cholesterol while lowering existing levels. Aim to eat at least 5 or 10 grams of soluble fiber a day. Be sure to eat the natural oatmeal, and maybe add some fruit for extra flavor!
Beans
The saying is true: beans are indeed good for your heart. This is mostly due to their high fiber content and cholesterol-reducing capabilities. Like oats and barley, beans keep your body from absorbing cholesterol from foods. There are countless varieties of beans and legumes. Add them to soups, salads, rice, tacos, dips, or eat them as a side dish.
Red Grapes/Wine
Please note, if you’re on an alcohol-free diet (as many of our boot campers are) then remember that there are plenty of other options for you on this list!
The combination of alcohol and red grapes packs a powerful punch. Moderate amounts of alcohol increase good cholesterol, while the polyphenol antioxidants found in the red grapes used to make red wine lower bad cholesterol. If you’re not a fan of red wine, you can still help your heart by snacking on red grapes or drinking 100-percent grape juice on occasion.
Green Tea
Numerous health studies show the power of both black and green teas to defend your body from high cholesterol. It’s unknown how much tea you need to drink to reap the benefits, but a cup or two a day of iced or hot tea is sure to help. If you need a little more sweetness stick to natural honey from the local farmer’s market rather than dumping sugar in.
Salmon
It’s the omega-3 fatty acids found in salmon that protect your heart from disease, lowering bad 
cholesterol and raising the good. Rather than pork or beef for dinner, eat more fatty fish like salmon, herring, or sardines. If you need some salmon recipes check out our list of delicious salmon dishes.
Tomatoes
The red color of tomatoes comes from lycopene, a powerful antioxidant known to fight cancer and reduce LDL cholesterol. Your body is able to absorb more lycopene from cooked tomatoes, so enjoy a glass of tomato juice, pasta with tomato sauce, or a bowl of tomato soup.
Chocolate
Who said cholesterol-lowering foods aren’t delicious? Chocolate makes the list of foods that boost your good cholesterol levels. Choose dark or bittersweet chocolate over milk chocolate, since these two varieties contain three times as many heart-healthy antioxidants. Avoid white chocolate.
