To lower your fat and cholesterol intake, you should limit or avoid altogether the following foods:

• Foods fried in vegetable oil, solid shortenings, butter, lard, bacon and other fat from animals
• Whole dairy products, including whole milk, cheese, cream, sour cream, ice cream and egg yolks
• Fat found in meat and poultry skin (opt for low-fat, skinless cuts and limit red meat to once or twice per week)
• Sunflower seeds and most nuts
• Pastries and most baked goods

So what should you eat? Your diet should be rich in the following foods:

• Fresh fruits (citrus, apples, pears, berries)
• Vegetables (except avocados) (Canned vegetables tend to be higher in sodium. Choose fresh or frozen vegetables instead.)
• Dried beans
• Whole grain breads
• Low-fat, high-fiber cereals that contain oatmeal or oat bran
• Small servings of white poultry, lean meats and fish
• Low-fat, skim, non-fat or fat-free milk, cheese, yogurt, sour cream and other dairy products
• Egg whites or egg substitutes

Of course, choosing the right foods is only the first step. You also have to prepare your food in heart healthy manner. Here are a few tips:

• Cutout the fat by removing fat and skin from meats and poultry. (Don't forget to skim fat from broth too!)
• Avoid frying. Instead try grilling (here in Florida we can grill year-round), baking, roasting, steaming, broiling or poaching.
• In place of butter and oil, try non-stick spray or unsaturated oil (preferably olive oil).
• Replace regular salad dressing with fat-free dressing or flavored vinegar.
• Instead of relying on salt, butter, garlic salt, cheese, ketchup and other high-fat, high-sodium and high calorie choices for flavor, select more healthy options to season food, including lemon and lime juice, garlic, chives, dill, basil, oregano, onion powder, low-sodium chicken and beef bouillon, and low-sodium commercial seasonings like Mrs. Dash®.