My cholesterol scores are high. Should I avoid sushi? I'm trying to reduce my cholesterol scores and am wondering if sushi is a food I should avoid.
Sushi in general should not be high in cholesterol. The fish used does contain some cholesterol, however. For instance, a 1/2 ounce piece of tuna that would be served in a typical nigiri sushi contains about 7 milligrams (mg) of cholesterol. Salmon and other fatty fish served at sushi bars like mackerel, eel, and abalone can be higher in cholesterol - in the range of 10 - 15 mg per piece.
That said, when you're working to lower your cholesterol a more important factor is the amount of fat and types of fats in the foods you choose. It's key to lower the amount of saturated fats and increase the unsaturated fats. We know that fish such as those served in Japanese cuisine are high in the good unsaturated fats, especially Omega 3 fats.
Keep in mind that sushi and sushi rolls are made with white rice. While white rice is not optimal, having this occasionally especially along with fish and other vegetables is OK.
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