For high cholesterol (and for heart health in general), a diet that is low in cholesterol, saturated fats, and trans-fats is usually recommended. An easy way to achieve such a diet is to aim for less animal-based foods (meat and dairy) and more plant-based foods, such as fruits and veggies.

 

Keep in mind that diet and exercise alone may not bring your cholesterol level down enough, since much of the cholesterol in your blood is actually made by your liver. In such cases, after giving diet and exercise your best efforts, treatment with medications may be necessary. Drugs won't replace diet and exercise changes, however, so you will still need to keep up the good work in those areas.