For Severe Familial Hypercholesterolemia + Prediabetes
🎯 Core Principles (Based on Latest Evidence 2019-2025)
Evidence-Based Priority Hierarchy:
- ⭐⭐⭐ 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
- ⭐⭐ HIGH PRIORITY: Portfolio Diet Core Components
- Plant sterols: 2g/day
- Soluble fiber: 10-20g/day
- Soy protein: 25-30g/day
- Nuts: 30-45g/day
- ⭐ 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
- Leafy greens: bok choy, spinach, lettuce, water spinach, romaine lettuce, amaranth, watercress, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), pea shoots
- Cruciferous vegetables: broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, napa cabbage, kohlrabi
- Blood sugar control vegetables (highly recommended): bitter melon (contains charantin, lowers blood glucose), winter melon (traditional blood sugar control), cucumber, luffa, chayote
- Nightshades: eggplant (high soluble fiber), tomato, bell peppers
- Other recommended vegetables: celery, daikon radish, carrot, bean sprouts (mung bean, soybean), lotus root (raw or lightly stir-fried)
⚡ As Needed: Necessary but portion-controlled
- Starchy vegetables (count toward carb quota, replace equivalent rice/noodles): Chinese yam (½ cup/serving), taro (½ cup/serving), potato (½ cup/serving), sweet potato (½ cup/serving, low GI preferred), pumpkin (½ cup/serving), corn (½ ear/serving)
⚪ Neutral: Occasional use only
- Pickled vegetables (high sodium): preserved mustard greens (small amount, rinse thoroughly), sauerkraut (small amount, rinse thoroughly), pickled vegetables (small amount)
🚫 Forbidden: Even trace amounts harmful
- Fried vegetable products: fried eggplant boxes, fried lotus root boxes, fried spring rolls, fried vegetable tempura
2. 🍄 Mushrooms (Shiitake Can Reduce Cholesterol 55%)
✅ Recommended: Required, unlimited quantity
- Fresh mushrooms: shiitake (contains eritadenine, reduces cholesterol up to 55%), oyster mushroom, enoki, white button mushroom, king oyster mushroom
- Dried mushrooms: dried shiitake (rehydrate before use), wood ear mushroom (black/white fungus), bamboo fungus, tea tree mushroom
⚡ 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
- Berries (GI <40): blueberries (1 cup), strawberries (1 cup), blackberries (1 cup), raspberries (1 cup), cherries (15-20 pieces, GI 22)
- Citrus (GI <50): grapefruit (½-1 whole, GI 25), orange (1 whole, GI 40-43), mandarin (1-2 pieces, GI 47), lemon (for flavoring)
- Other low GI fruits: dragon fruit (1 whole, GI 48-52), guava (1 whole, GI 30-50)
⚡ As Needed: Medium GI, 1-2 servings daily, pair with nuts/protein
- Medium fruits (GI 40-60): apple (1 medium, GI 36-44), pear (1 medium, GI 38), peach (1 medium, GI 42), plum (2-3 pieces, GI 39), apricot (2-3 pieces, GI 34), kiwi (1 piece, GI 47-58), grapes (small bunch, GI 46-59), papaya (1 cup, GI 60)
⚪ Neutral: High GI, occasional use, pair with protein/nuts to reduce glycemic response
- High GI fruits (GI >60): watermelon (small piece, GI 72), pineapple (small piece, GI 66), lychee (3-5 pieces, GI 57), longan (small amount), mango (½ piece, GI 51-60)
🚫 Forbidden: Even trace amounts harmful
- Juice, canned fruit: all fruit juices (even fresh-squeezed), canned fruit in syrup, candied fruit, dried fruit (except small amounts unsweetened)
4. 🥜 Protein Sources
4A. Plant-Based Protein (Priority Recommendation)
✅ Recommended: Required 25-30g soy protein daily
- Soy products: tofu (½-¾ block/day, ~150-200g), soy milk (unsweetened, 2 cups/day), dried tofu (50-75g), edamame (1 cup in shell), tempeh (fermented soy, 100g), silken tofu (for soup, steaming)
- Legumes (3-4 times weekly): mung beans (congee, soup), adzuki bean, black beans, chickpeas, lentils
⚡ As Needed: Necessary but portion-controlled
⚪ Neutral: Occasional use only
🚫 Forbidden: Even trace amounts harmful
- Processed soy products (high sodium, high oil): fried tofu puffs, fried tofu skin, processed vegetarian meat (high sodium), fermented bean curd (high sodium)
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
- Fatty fish (steam or bake primarily): salmon, mackerel, sardines
- Rationale: High omega-3 (EPA+DHA) reduces triglycerides and inflammation, low saturated fat (<1g/100g)
⚡ As Needed: High-cholesterol but low-saturated-fat seafood
- White fish (2-3 times weekly): sea bass, grouper, cod, halibut, sole
- Shrimp (1-2 times weekly): 8-12 pieces/100-120g per serving
- Cholesterol: 152mg/100g (moderate-high)
- Saturated fat: 0.4g/100g (very low)
- Evidence: Despite high cholesterol, shrimp doesn’t negatively impact blood cholesterol due to low saturated fat (Medical News Today, AHA)
- Remove heads and shells (higher cholesterol concentration)
- Shellfish (1-2 times weekly): clams, mussels, oysters, scallops
- Cholesterol: 40-60mg/100g (moderate)
- Saturated fat: <1g/100g (low)
- Rich in omega-3, zinc, iron
- Fish roe/caviar (small portions, 1-2 times monthly):
- Examples: salmon roe (ikura), flying fish roe (tobiko), mentaiko (marinated pollock roe), caviar
- Portion size: 15-30g (1-2 tablespoons) per serving
- Nutritional profile:
- Cholesterol: 300-500mg/100g (very high)
- Saturated fat: 1.5-2g/100g (low, only ~20% of total fat)
- Omega-3: Very high (EPA+DHA)
- Protein: ~25g/100g
- Evidence: Harvard Health notes “shellfish and fish roe have cholesterol but not a lot of saturated fat, therefore okay to have some”
- Conditions for FH patients:
- ✅ Only on days with <100mg other dietary cholesterol
- ✅ Total daily saturated fat remains <7%
- ✅ Avoid fried/high-sodium preparations (e.g., heavily salted mentaiko)
- ✅ Treatment phase: max 1x/month; stable LDL phase: 2x/month acceptable
- Specific examples:
- Mentaiko (明太子): 20-25g serving = ~100-125mg cholesterol, 0.4g sat-fat ✅
- Salmon roe: 30g serving = ~150mg cholesterol, 0.5g sat-fat ✅
- Caviar: 15g serving = ~88mg cholesterol, 0.3g sat-fat ✅
⚪ Neutral: Higher cholesterol shellfish, occasional use
- Squid/Cuttlefish (1-2 times monthly): 80-100g serving
- Cholesterol: 233mg/100g (high)
- Saturated fat: 0.4g/100g (very low)
- Acceptable occasionally due to low saturated fat, but higher cholesterol than other shellfish
🚫 Forbidden: Truly harmful preparations
- Fried seafood (adds saturated fat): fried fish fillets, fried shrimp, fried calamari, tempura
- Very high cholesterol parts: shrimp heads (eat in moderation), crab roe/tomalley (limit to special occasions, small amounts)
- High-sodium preparations: salted fish, heavily preserved seafood
- Note: The cholesterol content itself is not the primary concern—it’s the preparation method (frying adds saturated fat) and portion size that matter most
4C. Poultry
✅ Recommended: Required, unlimited quantity
- None (poultry not primary protein, prioritize soy products and fish)
⚡ As Needed: Necessary but portion-controlled
- Skinless poultry (2-3 times weekly, 100-120g per serving): skinless chicken breast, skinless chicken thigh (lean parts)
⚪ Neutral: Occasional use only
🚫 Forbidden: Even trace amounts harmful
- Poultry skin and organs: chicken/duck skin (extremely high saturated fat), chicken heart, chicken liver (high cholesterol), duck liver (extremely high cholesterol), braised organ meats
- Processed poultry: sausages, ham, bacon, lunch meat
4D. Red Meat
✅ Recommended: Required, unlimited quantity
- None (red meat incompatible with Portfolio Diet, severe FH patients should minimize consumption)
⚡ As Needed: Necessary but portion-controlled
- Extremely lean cuts (1-2 times monthly, 40-60g per serving): pork tenderloin (leanest part), pork loin (remove all visible fat)
- Note: Only for special social occasions, choose leanest parts, remove all visible fat
⚪ Neutral: Occasional use only
🚫 Forbidden: Even trace amounts harmful
- All fatty meat and most red meat: pork belly/bacon, ribs, beef brisket, beef ribs, lamb (most cuts), pork trotters, animal fats (lard, tallow, suet)
- Processed meat products (Group 1 carcinogen): cured bacon/sausage, ham, sausages, hot dogs, lunch meat
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
- Egg whites (unlimited): egg whites only
- Uses: steamed egg white custard, boiled egg whites, scrambled egg whites
⚡ As Needed: Moderate intake acceptable
- Whole eggs (3-4 per week, up to 1 per day if other diet is strict):
- Boiled eggs (1 egg = 186mg cholesterol, 1.6g sat-fat)
- Steamed eggs (use 1 whole egg + 2 egg whites)
- Rationale: Eggs have low saturated fat (1.6g/100g) despite high cholesterol. AHA 2019 notes dietary cholesterol from eggs has minimal impact on blood cholesterol when saturated fat intake is controlled.
- Condition: Only if daily saturated fat < 7% and no other high-cholesterol foods that day
⚪ Neutral: Occasional use only
- Whole eggs (more than 1/day): Acceptable on days with no other animal products, but monitor blood lipids
🚫 Forbidden: Even trace amounts harmful
- High cholesterol + high sodium egg products: salted egg yolk (extremely high cholesterol + sodium), marinated eggs (high sodium + cholesterol)
- Fried egg products: fried eggs with excessive oil, deep-fried eggs (adds saturated fat)
- Century eggs: Acceptable occasionally due to moderate cholesterol, but avoid if high sodium
5. 🌾 Grains and Staples
✅ Recommended: Whole grains, low GI, ½-⅔ cup cooked per meal
- Whole grains: brown rice (GI 55, first choice), black rice (rich in anthocyanins), pearl barley (β-glucan), steel-cut oats (β-glucan), quinoa (complete protein), buckwheat (GI 54), millet
- Mixed grains (recommended): brown rice + pearl barley (2:1), brown rice + black rice (1:1), oats + pearl barley
- Whole wheat products: whole wheat bread (100% whole wheat), whole wheat steamed buns, whole wheat bun wrappers, whole wheat dumpling wrappers, whole wheat noodles (pasta, GI 45-50)
- Grain flours (for congee): oat flakes, brown rice flour
⚡ As Needed: Partially refined grains, limited
- Partially refined grains: white rice (GI 73, small portion ½ cup), white noodles (small amount, with plenty of vegetables), udon noodles (moderate)
⚪ Neutral: Refined staples, occasional use
- Refined staples: white steamed buns (small, GI 88), white bread (1 slice)
🚫 Forbidden: High GI/fried staples
- Glutinous rice products (GI 87-98): glutinous rice and glutinous rice products
- Fried staples: fried dough sticks (youtiao), fried dough twists, fried flatbread, fried rice (with excessive oil), fried noodles (with excessive oil)
- High GI products: white congee (GI 90+), rice cakes, sweet rice balls (tangyuan), sticky rice dumplings (zongzi)
- Refined baked goods: white bread, cakes, cookies, pastries, mooncakes
6. 🥜 Nuts and Seeds (Key to Cholesterol Reduction)
✅ Recommended: 30-45g daily (~¼ cup), required intake
- Core nuts: almonds (12-15 pieces/day), walnuts (6-7 halves, highest Omega-3), pistachios (unsalted, 20-25 pieces), hazelnuts (15-20 pieces)
- Seeds: flaxseed (ground, 1-2 tablespoons/day, Omega-3), chia seeds (1 tablespoon/day, Omega-3 + fiber), pumpkin seeds (1 tablespoon), sunflower seeds (unsalted, 1 tablespoon), sesame seeds (black/white, 1-2 tablespoons)
- Note: Choose unsalted/low-salt plain varieties, can lightly roast for flavor (not deep-fry), consume in 2-3 portions daily, can add to oatmeal/salad/yogurt
⚡ As Needed: Other nuts, moderate
- Other nuts: cashews (10-12 pieces, slightly higher carbs), Brazil nuts (2-3 pieces, high selenium), macadamia nuts (5-6 pieces, high fat), pecans (10-12 halves)
⚪ Neutral: Occasional use only
🚫 Forbidden: Processed/high-salt nuts
- Processed nuts: salt-roasted nuts, honey-roasted nuts, sugar-coated nuts, fried peanuts, salt and pepper nuts
7. 🛢️ Oils and Fats
✅ Recommended: Healthy oils, 2-3 tablespoons (30-45ml) total daily
- Primary cooking oils: extra virgin olive oil (cold dishes, low heat), avocado oil (high-heat cooking, smoke point 270°C), camellia oil (high heat, Chinese cooking)
- Flavoring oils (small amounts): toasted sesame oil (1-2 drops/dish), flaxseed oil (cold dishes, 1 teaspoon/day)
- Principles: primarily monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), limit saturated fat <7% total calories, avoid all animal fats
⚡ As Needed: Other vegetable oils, moderate
- Other vegetable oils: peanut oil (high-heat cooking, small amount), corn oil (moderate), soybean oil (moderate), sunflower oil (moderate)
⚪ Neutral: Occasional use only
🚫 Forbidden: High saturated fat/trans fat
- Animal fats: lard, butter, tallow, chicken/duck fat, bacon fat, ghee
- Tropical oils (high saturated fat): coconut oil, palm oil
- Hydrogenated vegetable oils (trans fat): margarine (some), shortening, baking oils containing trans fats
- Reused oils: repeatedly fried oils, restaurant deep-frying oils
8. 🧂 Seasonings and Spices
✅ Recommended: Unlimited/generous use
- Fresh herbs (unlimited): garlic, ginger, scallion, cilantro, basil, mint
- Dried spices (unlimited): star anise, Sichuan peppercorn, five-spice powder, cinnamon bark, cumin, white pepper, black pepper, chili powder, turmeric, cinnamon powder (lowers blood sugar), curry powder
- Natural umami (unlimited): dried shiitake powder, kombu/kelp (natural MSG), tomato (for umami)
⚡ As Needed: Fermented seasonings, portion-controlled
- Fermented seasonings: low-sodium soy sauce (1-2 teaspoons/dish), miso (low-sodium version, small amount), doubanjiang/chili bean paste (small amount, rinse), fermented black beans (small amount, rinse), yellow bean paste (small amount)
- Acidic seasonings: rice vinegar (unlimited), black vinegar, aged vinegar, lemon juice
- Cooking wine: Shaoxing wine (1-2 tablespoons/dish)
⚪ Neutral: Occasional use only
🚫 Forbidden: High sodium/high sugar/trans fat
- High sodium seasonings: regular soy sauce (1000mg sodium per tablespoon), dark/light soy sauce (high sodium), oyster sauce (600mg sodium per tablespoon), fish sauce (extremely high sodium), salt (strictly limit), chicken bouillon/MSG (high sodium), fermented tofu (extremely high sodium)
- High sugar seasonings: white sugar, rock sugar, honey (excessive), sweet bean paste, hoisin sauce (high sugar + sodium), ketchup (high sugar), BBQ sauce (high sugar + sodium), teriyaki sauce (high sugar + sodium)
- Trans fat seasonings: salad dressing (some contain hydrogenated oils), coffee creamer (contains hydrogenated oils)
9. 🥤 Beverages
✅ Recommended: Unlimited
- Sugar-free beverages: plain water (primary), green tea, oolong tea, pu-erh tea, chrysanthemum tea, lemon water (unsweetened), bitter melon tea (lowers blood glucose), cassia seed tea
- Herbal teas: rose tea, osmanthus tea, jasmine tea
⚡ As Needed: Beverages with minimal sugar/fat, moderate
- Beverages with minimal sugar/fat: unsweetened soy milk (2 cups/day), unsweetened milk alternatives (almond milk, oat milk)
- Coffee (moderate): black coffee (2-3 cups/day), Americano
- Note: No sugar, no creamer, can add unsweetened soy milk
⚪ Neutral: Occasional use only
🚫 Forbidden: High sugar/high fat/alcohol
- Sugary beverages: all sugary sodas, fruit juice (even fresh-squeezed), sports drinks (with sugar), flavored tea drinks, bubble tea, canned/bottled tea (with sugar), energy drinks
- High-fat beverages: whole milk, milk tea (with creamer), latte (whole milk), cappuccino (whole milk), cocoa/chocolate drinks, coconut milk
- Alcohol (strictly limited): liquor, beer, sweet wines, cocktails (Note: small amounts of cooking wine in dishes acceptable, direct consumption forbidden)
10. 💊 Special Functional Foods (Portfolio Diet Core)
✅ Recommended: Required daily intake
- Plant sterol-fortified foods (2g/day): plant sterol-fortified soy milk, plant sterol-fortified oat milk, plant sterol gummies (as prescribed)
- Soluble fiber supplements (under medical guidance): psyllium husk powder (1-2 teaspoons/day), β-glucan supplements
- Omega-3 supplements (if dietary intake insufficient): fish oil (EPA+DHA 500mg/day), algal oil (for vegetarians)
⚡ As Needed: Necessary but portion-controlled
⚪ Neutral: Occasional use only
🚫 Forbidden: Fake “health” foods
- Fake “health” foods: “sugar-free” but high-fat cookies, “low-fat” but high-sugar yogurt, energy bars (high sugar high fat), protein powder (sweetened versions), meal replacement shakes (high sugar)
11. 🍚 Common Cooking Ingredients
✅ Recommended: Required, unlimited quantity
- Wrapping materials: bamboo leaves (for zongzi, use whole grain fillings), lotus leaves (for steaming rice)
⚡ As Needed: Necessary but portion-controlled
- Thickeners: cornstarch (small amount for thickening), kudzu root powder (traditional cooling agent)
- Flours: whole wheat flour (baking), starch (potato starch, small amount)
⚪ Neutral: Occasional use only
🚫 Forbidden: High sodium/high fat processed products
- High sodium/high fat processed products: instant noodles, instant rice noodles, frozen dumplings (high sodium high fat), frozen steamed buns (high sodium), frozen tangyuan (high sugar), frozen fried dough sticks
- High trans fat products: vegetable cream, puff pastry, pre-made pie crusts
📊 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)
- Vegetables: 3-4 types of leafy greens, bitter melon/winter melon, eggplant, mushrooms
- Fruits: 1-2 types of berries, 1 type of citrus
- Protein: 1-2 blocks of tofu, soy milk, 2 types of fish
- Grains: brown rice, oats, pearl barley
- Nuts: almonds, walnuts (weekly replenishment)
- Oils: olive oil or camellia oil
- Aromatics: garlic, ginger, scallions
⚡ Limited Purchase (1-2 times monthly):
- Skinless chicken breast (if needed)
- Whole eggs (2-3 per week)
- Shrimp (small amount)
- Low-sodium seasonings replenishment
🚫 Never Purchase:
- Any animal fats, fatty meats
- All processed meat products
- Fried foods
- Sugary beverages, fruit juices
- High-sodium seasonings
- Refined pastries, cookies
- Convenience foods
- Sunday: Plan next week’s menu, create shopping list
- Monday/Tuesday: Purchase fresh vegetables, tofu (can store 3-4 days)
- Thursday/Friday: Replenish fresh vegetables
- Monthly (1x): Purchase dried goods (dried shiitake, wood ear, nuts, whole grains)
Storage Guidelines:
- Leafy greens: Refrigerate 3-4 days
- Mushrooms: Paper bag in refrigerator 5-7 days
- Tofu: Use same day after opening, or change water and refrigerate 2 days
- Fish: Consume day of purchase or next day, do not freeze and thaw
- Whole grains: Sealed container, cool dry place, 1-2 months
- Nuts: Sealed container, refrigerate, 1-2 months
- Oils: Store away from light, use within 3-6 months
Cost Optimization:
- Seasonal produce costs less and has better nutrition
- Dried goods (shiitake, wood ear) more economical in bulk
- Nuts in large packages for portioning save money
- Homemade soy milk cheaper than store-bought and additive-free