phc

🛒 Portfolio Diet Guide & Shopping List

For Severe Familial Hypercholesterolemia + Prediabetes


🎯 Core Principles (Based on Latest Evidence 2019-2025)

Evidence-Based Priority Hierarchy:

  1. ⭐⭐⭐ HIGHEST PRIORITY: Saturated Fat < 7% of Total Calories
    • Evidence: AHA 2019 - Replacing saturated fat with PUFA reduces CVD by ~30%, similar to statin effect
    • Saturated fat increases LDL-C by reducing hepatic LDL receptors
    • More impactful than dietary cholesterol restriction
  2. ⭐⭐ HIGH PRIORITY: Portfolio Diet Core Components
    • Plant sterols: 2g/day
    • Soluble fiber: 10-20g/day
    • Soy protein: 25-30g/day
    • Nuts: 30-45g/day
  3. ⭐ MODERATE PRIORITY: Dietary Cholesterol
    • Evidence: AHA 2019 - “Observational studies generally do not support a significant association between dietary cholesterol and CVD risk”
    • Keep as low as reasonably possible, BUT not an absolute prohibition
    • Exception: “High-cholesterol + Low-saturated-fat” foods (eggs, shellfish, fish roe) can be consumed in moderation

Key Distinction: Cholesterol vs Saturated Fat

Food Category Cholesterol Saturated Fat Status Rationale
Eggs High (186mg/egg) Low (1.6g/100g) ⚡ Moderate Low sat-fat exception (AHA 2019)
Shellfish/Fish Roe High (200-500mg/100g) Low (1-2g/100g) ⚡ Moderate Low sat-fat, high omega-3
Fatty Red Meat Medium (70mg/100g) Very High (8-15g/100g) 🚫 Forbidden Sat-fat is primary concern
Butter High (215mg/100g) Extremely High (51g/100g) 🚫 Forbidden Sat-fat is primary concern

Bottom Line: Prioritize limiting saturated fat over obsessing about every milligram of dietary cholesterol.


1. 🥬 Vegetables (Including Blood Sugar Control Stars: Bitter Melon, Winter Melon)

✅ Recommended: Required, unlimited quantity

⚡ As Needed: Necessary but portion-controlled

⚪ Neutral: Occasional use only

🚫 Forbidden: Even trace amounts harmful


2. 🍄 Mushrooms (Shiitake Can Reduce Cholesterol 55%)

✅ Recommended: Required, unlimited quantity

⚡ As Needed: Necessary but portion-controlled

⚪ Neutral: Occasional use only

🚫 Forbidden: Even trace amounts harmful


3. 🍎 Fruits (Classified by GI Value)

✅ Recommended: Low GI, required 2-3 servings daily

⚡ As Needed: Medium GI, 1-2 servings daily, pair with nuts/protein

⚪ Neutral: High GI, occasional use, pair with protein/nuts to reduce glycemic response

🚫 Forbidden: Even trace amounts harmful


4. 🥜 Protein Sources

4A. Plant-Based Protein (Priority Recommendation)

✅ Recommended: Required 25-30g soy protein daily

⚡ As Needed: Necessary but portion-controlled

⚪ Neutral: Occasional use only

🚫 Forbidden: Even trace amounts harmful

4B. Seafood

Evidence Update (AHA 2023, Harvard Health): Shellfish and fish roe, despite high cholesterol, are low in saturated fat and rich in omega-3. Current research suggests saturated fat is a greater concern than dietary cholesterol for CVD risk. The AHA removed the 300mg/day cholesterol limit in 2015.

✅ Recommended: Rich in Omega-3, 2-3 times weekly, 120-150g per serving

⚡ As Needed: High-cholesterol but low-saturated-fat seafood

⚪ Neutral: Higher cholesterol shellfish, occasional use

🚫 Forbidden: Truly harmful preparations

4C. Poultry

✅ Recommended: Required, unlimited quantity

⚡ As Needed: Necessary but portion-controlled

⚪ Neutral: Occasional use only

🚫 Forbidden: Even trace amounts harmful

4D. Red Meat

✅ Recommended: Required, unlimited quantity

⚡ As Needed: Necessary but portion-controlled

⚪ Neutral: Occasional use only

🚫 Forbidden: Even trace amounts harmful

4E. Eggs

Evidence Update (AHA 2019, BMJ 2020): Eggs are “high-cholesterol + low-saturated-fat” foods. For healthy older adults, up to 2 eggs/day is acceptable. For FH patients, moderate intake (3-4/week) is reasonable when overall saturated fat is controlled.

✅ Recommended: Egg whites unlimited

⚡ As Needed: Moderate intake acceptable

⚪ Neutral: Occasional use only

🚫 Forbidden: Even trace amounts harmful


5. 🌾 Grains and Staples

✅ Recommended: Whole grains, low GI, ½-⅔ cup cooked per meal

⚡ As Needed: Partially refined grains, limited

⚪ Neutral: Refined staples, occasional use

🚫 Forbidden: High GI/fried staples


6. 🥜 Nuts and Seeds (Key to Cholesterol Reduction)

✅ Recommended: 30-45g daily (~¼ cup), required intake

⚡ As Needed: Other nuts, moderate

⚪ Neutral: Occasional use only

🚫 Forbidden: Processed/high-salt nuts


7. 🛢️ Oils and Fats

✅ Recommended: Healthy oils, 2-3 tablespoons (30-45ml) total daily

⚡ As Needed: Other vegetable oils, moderate

⚪ Neutral: Occasional use only

🚫 Forbidden: High saturated fat/trans fat


8. 🧂 Seasonings and Spices

✅ Recommended: Unlimited/generous use

⚡ As Needed: Fermented seasonings, portion-controlled

⚪ Neutral: Occasional use only

🚫 Forbidden: High sodium/high sugar/trans fat


9. 🥤 Beverages

✅ Recommended: Unlimited

⚡ As Needed: Beverages with minimal sugar/fat, moderate

⚪ Neutral: Occasional use only

🚫 Forbidden: High sugar/high fat/alcohol


10. 💊 Special Functional Foods (Portfolio Diet Core)

✅ Recommended: Required daily intake

⚡ As Needed: Necessary but portion-controlled

⚪ Neutral: Occasional use only

🚫 Forbidden: Fake “health” foods


11. 🍚 Common Cooking Ingredients

✅ Recommended: Required, unlimited quantity

⚡ As Needed: Necessary but portion-controlled

⚪ Neutral: Occasional use only

🚫 Forbidden: High sodium/high fat processed products


📊 Quick Reference: Required Daily Intake

Nutrient/Food Daily Target Primary Sources Evidence Level
⭐⭐⭐ Saturated Fat < 7% of total calories AVOID: red meat, butter, coconut oil, processed meat AHA 2019 (Highest priority)
  (~15g for 2000 cal/day) CHOOSE: fish, poultry without skin, plant proteins Reduces CVD ~30%
Soluble Fiber 10-20g Oats, pearl barley, legumes, eggplant, apples, shiitake Portfolio Diet core
Plant Sterols 2g Fortified soy milk, nuts, whole grains Portfolio Diet core
Soy Protein 25-30g Tofu, soy milk, edamame, dried tofu Portfolio Diet core
Nuts 30-45g Almonds, walnuts (in 2-3 portions) Portfolio Diet core
Omega-3 (EPA+DHA) 250-500mg Fatty fish (2-3x/week), walnuts, flaxseed Anti-inflammatory
Total Fiber 30-50g Vegetables, whole grains, legumes, fruits Metabolic health
Vegetables ≥5 servings Various leafy greens, cruciferous, mushrooms Blood sugar control
Fruits 2-3 servings (low-med GI) Prioritize berries, citrus Prediabetes management
Dietary Cholesterol As low as practical Limit eggs to 3-4/week, avoid organ meats AHA 2019: Secondary priority
  (Strict: <200mg; Moderate: <300mg) Fish roe/shellfish: small portions 1-2x/month acceptable Not an absolute limit

Key Insight: Saturated fat restriction > dietary cholesterol restriction for LDL-C reduction (AHA 2019)


🛒 Shopping Principles Summary

✅ Priority Shopping List (Buy Weekly):

  1. Vegetables: 3-4 types of leafy greens, bitter melon/winter melon, eggplant, mushrooms
  2. Fruits: 1-2 types of berries, 1 type of citrus
  3. Protein: 1-2 blocks of tofu, soy milk, 2 types of fish
  4. Grains: brown rice, oats, pearl barley
  5. Nuts: almonds, walnuts (weekly replenishment)
  6. Oils: olive oil or camellia oil
  7. Aromatics: garlic, ginger, scallions

⚡ Limited Purchase (1-2 times monthly):

🚫 Never Purchase:


💡 Practical Shopping Tips

Weekly Shopping Schedule:

  1. Sunday: Plan next week’s menu, create shopping list
  2. Monday/Tuesday: Purchase fresh vegetables, tofu (can store 3-4 days)
  3. Thursday/Friday: Replenish fresh vegetables
  4. Monthly (1x): Purchase dried goods (dried shiitake, wood ear, nuts, whole grains)

Storage Guidelines:

Cost Optimization: