If you have high blood cholesterol and have not tried other dietary approaches, the Step I diet is the place to start:

1. Total fat intake should be no more than 30% of calories.

2. Saturated fat (the kind that is solid at room temperature) intake should be less than 10% of calories.

3. Polyunsaturated fat (liquid at room and refrigerator temperatures) intake should be 8% to 10% of calories.

4. Monounsaturated fat (olive and canola oil) intake should make up the rest of total fat intake (about 10% to 15% of total calories).

5. Cholesterol intake should be less than 300 milligrams daily.

6. Sodium intake should be no more than 2,400 milligrams daily.

How do I know the amounts of fat, cholesterol, and sodium in the foods I eat?

Read food labels. The labels on the packaging of the foods you buy will list these amounts, as well as other helpful information such as fiber and vitamin content. The quantities given on food labels are on a "per-serving" basis. The top of the label will define what a "serving" is for that particular food.

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