Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes (TLC) Diet

Because you already have heart disease or are at high risk for developing it, you should start on the TLC Diet right away. The TLC Diet is a low saturated fat, low cholesterol diet that will help to reduce your blood cholesterol level to decrease your chance of developing heart disease, future heart attacks, and other heart disease complications.

• Less than 7% of the day's total calories from saturated fat.
• 25-35 percent of the day’s total calories from fat.
• Less than 200 milligrams of dietary cholesterol a day.
• Limit sodium intake to 2400 milligrams a day.
• Just enough calories to achieve or maintain a healthy weight and reduce your blood cholesterol level. (Ask your doctor or registered dietitian what is a reasonable calorie level for you.)

Because the TLC Diet may include changes to your current eating plan, your doctor may refer you to a registered dietitian (RD) who can help you make these changes. An RD will teach your about the TLC Diet, help you chose foods and plan menus, monitor your progress, encourage you to stay on the TLC Diet, and help you to adjust your calorie level accordingly.

If your blood cholesterol is not lowered enough on the TLC Diet, your doctor may first intensify the TLC diet by increasing the amount of soluble fiber and/or adding cholesterol-lowering food products to your diet. These products include such items as margarines and salad dressings that contain plant sterol esters or plant stanol esters. If your LDL is still not lowered enough, your doctor may prescribe cholesterol lowering medication along with the TLC diet.