9 Lifestyle Changes to Lower Your High Cholesterol

3. Watch your sugar intake

You probably already know that consuming way too much sugar can cause diabetes, but did you know that it also raises cholesterol? “I try to adhere to a plant-based diet, with a moderate amount of protein,” explains Manfred Sandler, MD, a cardiologist at CardioVascular Group, in Atlanta.

“I definitely try to avoid white, starchy carbohydrates, and processed sugars. This type of diet not only keeps your cholesterol and triglycerides in order, it can help keep your weight down,” he adds. Keep in mind that the World Health Organization recommends getting no more than 10 percent of your calories from sugar, or even as low as 5 percent, to improve health.