For many, munching on snacks is an unhealthy habit to cope with stress or any other emotion. It might also become a habit to resort to when they are not involved in any task, but this is seriously detrimental to health. Regular consumption of unhealthy food can lead to numerous health issues in the long run, and one of them is high cholesterol. This condition increases the risk of plaque buildup in the arteries, and it also increases the chances of heart disease and stroke.

Keeping a check on dietary habits and lifestyle choices makes it easy to manage high cholesterol levels effectively. Contrary to popular belief, one doesn’t need to give up on snacking just because they have high cholesterol. Instead, they can opt for guilt-free snacks and get regular exercise to manage high cholesterol levels. Here are some healthy snack options that prevent cholesterol levels from shooting up:

• Fruits
  Fruits are rich in fiber, pectin, and potassium, so people with high cholesterol levels can have fruits to meet their nutrient requirements and also satisfy the cravings for sugar.
• Microwave popcorn
  Another common snack option for a lot of people, popcorn is undoubtedly a guilt-free snack for people with high cholesterol, but only if it is consumed without the generous servings of butter. Also, the ready-to-make popcorn available in the market is high in sodium, unhealthy oil as well as butter, so the snack does more harm than good to one’s health, especially if they have high blood cholesterol levels. These toppings shoot up the Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL) or bad cholesterol levels, but without added salt or butter, popcorn can help lower bad cholesterol levels. In case one wants to add flavor, they can spray some olive oil and add parmesan cheese to it.
• Oatmeal
  Oatmeal is another high-fiber food and a guilt-free snack for people with high cholesterol. It also boosts gut health, but use whole oats as they are more nutritious. One can also add apple or cinnamon for flavor.
• Nuts
  Nuts have antioxidant properties, so they protect the cells against harmful free radicals. They also contain fiber and healthy fats, making them a great snack option for people with high cholesterol.
• Quinoa chips
  Quinoa chips contain zero cholesterol, which makes them an ideal snack option for high-cholesterol patients. One can add a little salt for flavor but should avoid anything else and keep it simple and healthy.
• Pretzel twists
  People with high cholesterol levels have eating restrictions, but pretzel twists made with organic flour contain zero cholesterol, making them a good snack option.
• Pea snacks
  This crunchy snack is low in cholesterol and is made with veggies, protein, brown rice, and green pea flour.
• Rice cakes
  Rice cakes are delicious as well as low in cholesterol, making them a guilt-free snack option for people with high cholesterol. One can also add a boiled egg as a topping.