Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes Diet

The TLC diet is a low-saturated fat, low-cholesterol eating plan. The TLC diet is for anyone whose LDL is above his or her goal level.

TLC guidelines:

• Less than 7% of the day’s total calories from saturated fat.
• 25-35% or less of the day’s total calories from fat.
• Less than 200 milligrams of dietary cholesterol a day.
• Limit sodium intake to 2400 milligrams a day.
• Just enough calories to achieve or maintain a healthy weight and reduce blood cholesterol level. (Ask your doctor or a registered dietitian what is a reasonable calorie level for you.)

Other Low Cholesterol or TLC diet factors:

Soluble fiber may be increased in the diet if LDL is not lowered enough by reducing saturated fat and cholesterol.
Certain food products that contain plant stanols or plant sterols (e.g., cholesterol-lowering margarines and salad dressings) can also be added to the diet to boost its LDL-lowering power.

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