Foods to Help Control Triglycerides

Make omega-3 fatty acid rich foods a part of your daily diet. Not only may omega-3 fatty acids lower triglyceride levels, they may also be beneficial for overall heart health.

Omega-3 fatty acids may:

• Reduce inflammation
• Reduce high blood pressure
• Raise HDL cholesterol (good cholesterol)
• Make blood thinner and less sticky so it is less likely to clot

Try having 3 servings of omega-3 fatty acid fish a week.

Other Healthy Fats

Omega-3s aren't the only healthy fats. Others that you should include in your diet come from more places than just fatty fish. For example, you should choose foods that contain high levels of mono- and polyunsaturated fats. These include avocados, walnuts, and olive oil.

Don't be intimidated by the names of these fats, or feel like you have to become a biochemist to understand the difference between healthy and unhealthy fats. A simple rule is to remember is that artificial fats are bad fats. Just keep an eye out for trans fats and hydrogenated oils, which are found in many processed foods, French fries, crackers, cakes, chips, and stick margarine.

High Fiber Foods

Swap out foods made with refined white flour, and bring on the whole grains. You'll eat more fiber, which helps lower your triglycerides. For breakfast, have a bowl of steel-cut oats with berries instead of a bagel or sweet cereal. At lunchtime, try a salad loaded with veggies and garbanzo beans. Choose brown rice or quinoa at dinner instead of potatoes or pasta.

And all beans are all good all the time.