The American Heart Association has recommended two diets for for treatment of hypercholesterolaemia. Treatment should be commenced with a Step I diet, in which less than ten per cent of calories are derived from saturated fat, and cholesterol consumption <300mg/d. If the desired response is not obtained after an adequate period of good compliance, the Step II diet should be applied where saturated fats should provide less than seven per cent of calories, and cholesterol consumption should be <200mg/d. Similar diets have been recommended by many other organisations. Overall, however the diets should be nutritionally sound and appetising, and should contain abundant fruits, vegetables, grains, pasta and legume. Attention should also be given to weight control since obesity, particularly central obesity, is associated with many cardiovascular risk factors.
