I Thought I Was Eating Healthy—Until I Learned What Ayurveda Says About Cholesterol

I used to think I had a pretty healthy diet. I avoided fast food most days, cooked at home, and kept things “low-fat” when possible. But after a recent health scare (my cholesterol levels were higher than expected), I started digging deeper. That’s when I came across Ayurveda’s perspective—and it completely reframed how I look at food.

What surprised me the most was how Ayurveda doesn't just blame fat. It sees cholesterol as something that builds up when digestion is weak, and toxins (or “Ama”) accumulate. This made so much sense. I’ve had sluggish digestion for a while, and my diet—though seemingly clean—was loaded with things like cheese, cold milk, white rice, and baked goods.

Reading this article really helped me connect the dots: Which Foods Increase Cholesterol and Should Be Avoided (https://ask-ayurveda.com/articles/1278-which-food-increase-cholesterol-and-should-be-avoided). It explained how foods that are heavy, cold, or hard to digest—like fried snacks and red meat—don’t just affect our weight, they disturb our internal balance. Ask Ayurveda lays out which foods trigger excess Kapha and how that leads to cholesterol problems in the first place.

The worst culprit in my case? Fried foods. Especially chips and those “air-fried” snacks I thought were better for me. Turns out, trans fats—whether obvious or hidden—are a big problem. There’s actually a great breakdown on this here: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/ask-ayurveda_emerging-research-highlights-that-trans-fats-activity-7353808750706634752-08GT?

Another area I overlooked was dairy. I love cheese. But when I read this short post on Ayurvedic food swaps (https://www.facebook.com/885804900366149/posts/1064445495835421), I realized that full-fat milk, yogurt, and butter were slowing me down more than I thought. Since switching to almond milk and using ghee sparingly, my energy levels have improved.

I also didn’t know how much sugar and refined carbs could mess with cholesterol. This Instagram post really hit home: https://www.instagram.com/p/DMdJQwwC2oT/. I was always snacking on granola bars and crackers—things I assumed were okay. But Ayurveda sees them as creating too much “stickiness” in the body.

I’ve been making small shifts—warming spices, more green veggies, and sticking to lighter meals in the evening. I found this beautiful visual that inspired me: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/895934919625782764. It’s helped me simplify my meals without feeling deprived.

My mornings look different too. I now start with warm lemon water and dry brushing, thanks to this reminder about the power of daily detox: https://www.threads.com/@askayurveda_24/post/DMdJPtztOPN. And emotionally, I’m working on the reasons I snack when I’m not even hungry. This tweet about stress-eating really resonated: https://x.com/1857364984759541760/status/1948042984554983554. It's not just about the food—it's about what we’re avoiding by eating.

So yeah, I’m still learning. But this approach feels less about restriction and more about alignment. Ayurveda doesn’t just say “don’t eat this.” It explains why and helps you choose foods that fit you.