Everyday Foods That Have Alarming Amounts of Bad Cholesterol

27. Restaurant Salad Dressings (Hidden Trans Fats and Oils)

Ordering a salad feels like a safe, healthy choice, but the dressing is often a hidden cholesterol trap. Many commercial and restaurant salad dressings, particularly creamy varieties, use cheap soybean or canola oils that have been partially hydrogenated to extend shelf life and texture, introducing unhealthy trans fats and an excessive amount of pro-inflammatory Omega-6 fatty acids. These compounds aggressively raise LDL ("bad") cholesterol. Always request dressings on the side and choose simple oil and vinegar or opt for a heart-healthy alternative like a vinaigrette made with extra virgin olive oil.

28. Ground Beef (High Saturated Fat-to-Protein Ratio)

While red meat is listed generally, ground beef deserves its own entry due to its typically high fat-to-protein ratio. Unlike lean steak cuts, common ground beef contains substantial amounts of marbled fat (saturated fat) that is impossible to trim, making it a concentrated source of LDL-raising lipids. Even when used for burgers or tacos, the fat content is often excessive. To make a heart-healthier choice, look for cuts labeled 90% lean or higher (93/7 or 96/4), or replace half the ground beef in recipes with mushrooms, beans, or lentils to significantly reduce the saturated fat content.