I'd suggest a copy of the American Heart Association's cookbook, "Low-Fat, Low-Cholesterol Cookbook". You'll find more recipes that are appropriate than what you'll find time to use, including all kids of "sweets", and general information on the subject.

A good substitute for unwholesome "sweets" are wholegrain muffins of all kinds, including good-for-you add-ins such as oat bran, flax meal, fruit, etc.

It's often easier to use recipes that are designed to be low-fat or low-cholesterol than to start substituting ingredients in your old favorite recipes. You'll experience fewer failures.

-Grainlady

When I'm baking and the recipe calls for oil, I substitute 1/2 of the oil for applesauce.

If the recipe calls for sour cream, I substitute non-fat plain yogurt.

No noticeable difference in the results. Hope that helps.

(Off topic - there are many supplements that can help lower cholesterol. Also, increasing fiber in the diet can help reduce cholesterol). And vigorous daily (or near daily) exercise can help increase HDL - good cholesterol)

Bonnie (very cholesterol-conscious :-)

I feel for you - my husband just had a heart attack about 4 weeks ago. I've linked my original post and all the responses, in hopes that it will help you.

I just made bread in the bread machine that had only unsweetened applesauce instead of the fat, and no eggs. It turned out really good, too.

KEN'S LIGHT WHITE BREAD
1-1/2 lb loaf

1 to 1-1/8 cups water
2 tbsp unsweetened applesauce
1-1/2 tbsp sugar
1-1/2 tsp salt
3 cups bread flour
1 tbsp nonfat dry milk powder
1-1/2 tsp yeast

Place all ingredients in the bread pan, using the least amount of liquid listed in the recipe. Select proper setting (#2, 1-1/2 lb loaf, for my machine) and press start.

Observe the dough as it kneads. After 5 to 10 minutes, if it appears dry and stuff or if your machine sounds as if it is straining to knead it, add more liquid 1 tbsp at a time until dough forms a smooth, soft, pliable ball that is slightly tacky to the touch.

After the baking cycle ends, remove bread from pan, place on cake rack, and allow to cool 1 hour before slicing.

Calories: 123
Fat: 0.3g
Carbs: 26 g
Fiber: 1 g
Cholesterol: 0.1mg
Sodium: 269mg

You said he had a sweet tooth - if he likes brownies and chocolate chip cookies, this is a recipe for a cookie that tastes like both -

LOW FAT CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE

It's hard to believe these chocolate chip cookies are low fat. By using half the normal amount of butter, and substituting an egg white for a whole egg, these make a wonderful and almost guilt-free indulgence. The chocolate flavor is enhanced by using cocoa powder, as well as the chocolate chips. And by using mini chocolate chips, we're making a smaller quantity go a long way.
INGREDIENTS:
· 1/4 cup butter, softened (I use the light stuff)
· 1/2 cup sugar
· 1/4 cup brown sugar
· 1 egg white
· 1 tsp vanilla extract
· 1 cup all-purpose flour
· 1/2 tsp baking soda
· 1/4 tsp salt
· 1/4 cup cocoa powder
· 1/3 cup miniature chocolate chips
PREPARATION:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
In a large bowl, beat butter and sugars together with an electric mixer until creamy. Add egg white and vanilla and mix until well blended.
In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking soda, salt and cocoa powder.
Gradually add flour mixture to egg and sugar. Use a wooden spoon to work the dough together. DonÂt worry if the dough seems a little crumbly at first. Stir in chocolate chips.
Drop cookie dough by the teaspoonful on to a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone mat if you have one.
Bake for 8-10 minutes. Cool on cookie sheet for 1 minute, then transfer to wire rack to cool completely.
Makes 30 cookies

Per Serving: Calories 65, Calories from Fat 21, Total Fat 2.3g (sat 1.8g), Cholesterol 5mg, Sodium 44mg, Carbohydrate 10.3g, Fiber 0.5g, Protein 0.7g

DonnaR/CA

Here is a link that might be useful: Heart-healthy eating thread

This might have some ideas that you've not thought of.

Here is a link that might be useful: Fat Subs

Here's one more to check out.

Here is a link that might be useful: Baking Subs

Not every kind of oil contributes to higher cholesterol does it - canola oil for example? Or is it that you want to reduce fat of all kinds for something like weight loss vs. actual reduction of cholesterol (of course sweets probably not consistent with that goal).

I use Egg Beaters for anything that calls for a whole egg and I've never had a problem.

Dietary cholesterol comes only from animal sources. Fruits, vegatables, grains, nuts, and seeds do not have it. However, humans like all animals produce their own cholesterol.

Dietary cholesterol comes only from animal sources.... True
humans produce their own cholesterol.... True
Not every kind of oil contributes to higher cholesterol.... False

According to the American Heart Association, a person with high cholesterol or heart problems MUST limit their fats to 30%, OR LESS, of their caloric intake... For a 64 year old male, 5'6", weighing 154, that means he can only have between 58-70g of good fats a day... For my hubby, anything more than that he risks the chance of having another heart attack or stroke...

I'm not exactly sure how it works but for people with high cholesterol the more fats, especially the bad fats ( Saturated Fats & Trans Fats ), they consume the higher their cholesterol goes... I'm not talking about going over the limit once in a great while, I mean on a regular basis... And, according to the American Heart Association, anyone who regularly consumes large quantity's of the bad fats will end up with high cholesterol and/or heart problems.

But getting back to the original post... If your father's triglyceride level is also high he'll have to watch his sugar intake too..

Rita

"Not every kind of oil contributes to higher cholesterol.... False"

This is True, not false. Olive oil does not contribute to higher cholesterol.

Yes, it is fat, but it has no cholesterol. We all need *some* fat in our diet. The key is to limit fats, and be sure the fats you eat are healthy fats.

Actually - cholesterol is not so simple a topic as, if you have high total cholesterol that's bad, and if you have low total cholesterol that's good. It's actually much more complex than that. Which is why some people with low cholesterol have heart attacks and some people with high cholesterol don't.

There are more complete lipid tests that Drs are starting to use which give much more relevant detail regarding cholesterol (e.g. size of LDL particles, etc).

Sorry to be rambling, but it is a topic I spend a lot of time reading about.

Bonnie

The bad fats do contribute to high cholesterol, especially in people with high cholesterol, and there are bad fats in ALL fats....

1 tablespoon ---------- Saturated fats
canola_oil ---------------- 1 g
corn_oil ---------------- 1.8 g
olive_oil ---------------- 1.9 g
peanut_oil -------------- 2.4 g
safflower ---------------- 1.3 g
soybean ----------------- 2.5 g
sunflower --------------- 1.4 g
butter -------------------- 7.1 g
Crisco --------------------- 3 g
Lard ---------------------- 11 g
soft_margarine --------- 1.8 g

Rita

Bons is correct, not all fats raise serum cholesterol. I'm a nutritionist(RD), this is my profession and this is what I tell people. PLEASE go to the NIH website for the NHLBI (National Heart Lung & Blood Institute) and download, purchase or read their excellent publication on the TLC program (Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes)for cholesterol management. Please inform yourself & your have your husband learn about the latest research and evidence-based information on dietary and lifestyle changes to lower cholesterol. A heart healthy diet, according to the NHLBI, contains 25-35% of total daily calories from fats. Not all fats raise cholesterol. Mono & polyunsaturated fats help lower cholesterol. Do not jump on a no or very low fat bandwagon. It is not necessary. A lot of factors come into play, for example, is your husband also overweight? Please read the NHLBI booklet for a complete picture of heart healthy eating. In terms of books & magazines & recipes, Eating Well magazines and books and Cooking Light have good recipes and a balanced approach to healthy, tasty eating. For most of us, food is a joy and a passion and hopefully not some dreary "special diet," Hope this helps...good luck!

Here is a link that might be useful: NIH's TLC Program for Cholesterol Management

Hi,
rosecmd - thanks for posting that information as well as the link. I have recently been doing a lot of research on eating healthier since my daught was diagnosed with PCOS - she has high insulin levels as well as elevated triglycerides and cholesterol. Here is some info that may be helpful:

From You the Owners Manual:
Foods laden with cholesterol, simple carbohydrates (white flour, white bread, sugar, pasta), and trans and saturated fats can cause high LDL levels (bad cholesterol). And it can partially be caused by genetics. Exercising, losing even 10 lbs of weight, avoiding simple carbs, and restricting saturated and trans fats to fewer than 20 grams will lower your LDL. Increasing HDL (good cholesterol) can also help, it can be done several ways  consuming healthy fats (olive oil, fish, walnuts), physical activity, taking niacin, having 1 drink of alcohol. Intake of soluble fiber can also help to lower cholesterol, and some studies have shown that it also decreases the risk of heart attacks.

From the AHA website:
What are omega-3 fatty acids?
Omega-3 (n-3 polyunsaturated) fatty acids are essential fats that your body needs to function properly but does not make. Humans must eat them through food, which means eating seafood, such as salmon, tuna, sardines, mackerel or shellfish. Omega-3 fatty acids benefit the heart of healthy people, and those at high risk for  or who already have  cardiovascular disease.
What are omega-6 fatty acids?
Omega-6 (n-6 polyunsaturated) fatty acids are the other group of essential fats that your body needs to function properly but does not make. Hence, they need to be consumed in the diet. Food sources of omega-6 fatty acids include some vegetable oils (soybean, safflower, sunflower or corn oils), nuts and seeds. Increased consumption of omega-6 fatty acids in place of saturated fats and trans fats is associated with a decreased risk of coronary heart disease.

Lisa, I came across some information that said a Wheat Free diet would benefit PCOS sufferers. I've been meaning to tell a friend who's daughter suffers too. I'll see if I can refind the information.

More information and personal stories than I expected.

Here is a link that might be useful: PCOS, Gluten Free

lisacdm...here is a good website for nutrition and PCOS. This RD/nutritionist posts on my nutrition entrepreneurs listserv on yahoo. She has written a book on PCOS and her website looks pretty informative. This can be a challenging disorder. Does your daughter take Metformin? I assume she is being seen by an endocrinologist.

Here is a link that might be useful: Nutrition and PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome)

Wow - thanks for your help. I didn't mean to highjack the thread. rosecmd - right now my daughter is taking birth control to regulate her cycle and is on a low glycemic diet. The doctor is monitoring (endocrinologist, gynocologist and pediatrician). They all agree that my daughter should try diet and exercise before Metformin.
terri - I'll look into the gluten-free information.
Thanks again for your help.
Sorry bean counter

Rose, thanks for the link... Any information, from reliable sources, I can get is helpful... Not trying to be a smart @ss or anything but what I said was BAD fats raise cholesterol and there are bad fats in all fats... You just have eat more of the good fats to balance out the bad fats.

Getting my hubby to eat a balanced 'diet' is a real challenge, I can't use other spices or onions or garlic to replace the salt because he doesn't like them... He's slowly accepting the fact that he just can't have some fats but it's very difficult since he was raised on junk food... In the beginning it was really hard to get him to eat more veggies and fruit when all he wanted was 2 or 3 chili dogs and a huge order of chili fries...

Fortunately he's not over weight, he can out eat three teenagers and not gain an ounce, even today with his very sedentary life style... Unfortunately the only things he likes to eat are the things he shouldn't eat... And since his strokes and heart attack he just sleeps and watches TV... Before he was a very active person, always doing something...

Well, perhaps, that site will give me some options I haven't already read... Thanks again Rose.

Rita