Cholesterol is a waxy substance that is found in the bloodstream of human bodies. While this cholesterol is good for building healthy cells, an excess of this can lead to a blockage in the blood vessels leading to an increased risk of heart disease. This excess cholesterol can also break and cause clots that can lead to a heart attack or a stroke.

For some high cholesterol is inherited, but this is also something that is preventable if one follows a healthy, nutritious diet, and make other lifestyle choices that keep you active.

Diet plays an essential role in treating and preventing certain illnesses, so it is important to understand what food you consume for your body and how it affects your biology so you can make informed choices for your health.

1. Vegetables
When one thinks of snacks, vegetables is definitely not something that pops in the head. But with the right pairing and a little preparation, vegetables can make for incredibly healthy snacks for those battling a high-cholesterol problem. Vegetables and hummus make for a delicious pair.

You can keep some carrots, cucumbers and bell peppers cut and ready in the fridge. To make hummus, all you need is chickpeas, some garlic, salt, and olive oil. You can add flavors if needed like some chilies or chopped olives.

2. Fruits
Again, when thinking of snacking the mind automatically goes to fried foods, but if conscious efforts are made one can find many alternatives to fried foods that are healthy and satisfy cravings as well. Eating whole fruits when hungry is a great idea for a snack, but if whole fruits are not something that excites you, then you can pair it up with other foods.

Peaches go extremely well with yogurt. Cut some pieces in a bowl and add some yogurt and mix it together. You can also cut some slices of apple and put some cinnamon on it and warm it to give it a slightly toasty texture to it. It smells like apple pie, except you are eating just the fruit.

3. Oatmeal
Oatmeal has soluble fiber that helps to soak up the cholesterol in the bloodstream. A bowlful of it every morning is something that should be a habit for those battling high-cholesterol issue. You can add some fruits like bananas and berries to make it interesting.

4. Nuts
It has been well researched that nuts are good for lowering cholesterol and are also in general good for heart health. Eating around 2 ounces of nuts daily can do wonders for your health. You can take a handful, soak them overnight and eat the first thing in the morning.

Apart from these snacks, you can also eat fatty fish two or three times a week. They have omega 3s that reduce triglycerides in the blood that protect the heart. Replacing butter or lard with the use of vegetable oils is also something that is suggested to lower cholesterol. Foods that are processed should be avoided as they have high levels of sodium, fat, calories that are a big no-no. Consult your doctor before you make any drastic changes in your diet to ensure your body responds positively to the change.