
The TLC diet is a therapeutic lifestyle change diet created by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute to improve cholesterol numbers and lower the risk of heart disease. The TLC diet is well known for its diet plan, which encourages heart-healthy eating and recommends limiting serving sizes or replacing foods high in saturated fat and cholesterol with healthier options. The TLC diet is a three-part program that combines diet, physical activity, and weight management to help lower high blood cholesterol and improve heart health.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Lowering cholesterol levels and improving heart health |
| Created by | National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute |
| Food recommendations | Fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, whole grains, lean meats, low- or non-fat dairy products, fish, poultry without the skin |
| Food restrictions | Saturated fats, trans fats, cholesterol, sodium |
| Daily intake | 30% calories from fat, 7% calories from saturated fat, 75 mg cholesterol per 1,000 calories |
| Additional recommendations | Physical activity, weight management, limiting serving sizes, cooking with oils instead of butter/lard |
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What You'll Learn

Lowering cholesterol
Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes, or TLC, is a three-part program created by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute to improve cholesterol numbers. The program combines diet, physical activity, and weight management to help lower high blood cholesterol and improve heart health.
The TLC program is well-known for its diet plan, which has led many people to adopt a heart-healthy eating regimen. The TLC diet recommends limiting serving sizes or replacing foods high in saturated fat and cholesterol with healthier options. Fruits, vegetables, legumes (beans and lentils), nuts, whole grains, low- or non-fat dairy products, fish, poultry without the skin, and lean meats in moderate amounts are good options. It is also important to limit sodium intake to 2,300 milligrams each day. Salt-free spices and herbs can make your heart-healthy meals tasty.
The TLC diet also recommends adding soluble fiber and plant stanols and sterols to daily meals. Plant stanols and sterols can be found in whole grains, nuts, legumes, and oils like olive and avocado oil. Increasing physical activity is another key part of the TLC program, as a lack of physical activity is a major risk factor for heart disease.
To lower your cholesterol, it is important to limit foods high in saturated fat and avoid foods with trans fat. This will help to lower your risk of heart disease. Cooking at home can help you take control of your diet, but it is important to cook in ways that support your healthy eating plan. For example, use a healthy cooking oil like olive oil, but only use a small amount. Try using low-salt vegetable stock instead of oil when sautéing or baking vegetables, fish, or poultry. Bake, broil, or steam your foods instead of frying them.
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Reducing saturated fat
The TLC (Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes) diet is a well-established eating pattern developed by doctors and researchers to promote heart health and overall wellness. It is a three-part program created by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute to improve cholesterol numbers. The TLC diet involves reducing saturated fat and cholesterol intake, which are major drivers of heart disease and other health issues.
To reduce saturated fat intake, the TLC diet recommends limiting serving sizes or replacing foods high in saturated fat with healthier options. This includes removing chicken skin and fat from soups or stews, as well as avoiding butter, lard, and shortening. Instead, use healthy cooking oils like olive oil, but in small amounts. Bake, broil, roast, grill, or air-fry dishes to further limit fat usage.
When dining out, remember that portion sizes tend to be larger, and it can be challenging to determine the ingredients in the dishes. Therefore, it is essential to make informed choices when eating out while following the TLC diet.
Additionally, the TLC diet suggests increasing your intake of plant stanols and sterols found in whole grains, nuts, legumes, and oils like olive and avocado oil. These healthy fats can help lower LDL cholesterol levels. It is also recommended to increase soluble fiber intake from fruits, beans, and oats, as this can aid in lowering cholesterol levels.
By following these guidelines and recommendations, individuals on the TLC diet can effectively reduce their saturated fat intake, improve their cholesterol levels, and promote overall heart health.
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Heart health
The TLC diet is a well-established eating pattern developed by doctors and researchers to promote heart health and overall wellness. The TLC diet is part of the Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes (TLC) Program, a three-part program created by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute to improve cholesterol numbers and lower the risk of heart disease. The program combines diet, physical activity, and weight management to help lower high blood cholesterol and improve heart health.
The TLC diet recommends limiting serving sizes or replacing foods high in saturated fat and cholesterol with healthier options. Fruits, vegetables, legumes (beans and lentils), nuts, whole grains, low- or non-fat dairy products, fish, poultry without the skin, and lean meats in moderate amounts are all part of a heart-healthy diet. It is also important to limit sodium intake to 2,300 milligrams per day and use salt-free spices and herbs to add flavor to meals.
In addition to dietary changes, the TLC Program emphasizes the importance of physical activity in improving heart health. Lack of physical activity is a major risk factor for heart disease. Increasing physical activity can help lower LDL cholesterol ("bad" cholesterol) and reduce the risk of metabolic disease, heart disease, and other serious conditions.
The TLC diet also provides guidelines for cooking and preparing meals to ensure they are heart-healthy. This includes baking, broiling, roasting, grilling, stir-frying, or air-frying dishes to limit fat intake, as well as using healthy cooking oils like olive oil and low-salt vegetable stock.
Overall, the TLC diet is a comprehensive approach to improving heart health by lowering cholesterol levels, controlling weight, and increasing physical activity. It is a well-established and effective way to reduce the risk of heart disease and promote overall wellness.
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Weight management
The diet recommends limiting serving sizes and replacing foods high in saturated fat and cholesterol with healthier options. This includes increasing the consumption of fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, whole grains, low- or non-fat dairy products, fish, poultry without the skin, and lean meats. It also suggests limiting sodium intake to 2,300 milligrams per day and using salt-free spices and herbs to enhance the flavour of meals.
In addition to dietary changes, the TLC program emphasizes the importance of physical activity. Increasing physical activity has numerous benefits and helps to lower LDL cholesterol levels. It is recommended to incorporate at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise, such as brisk walking, swimming, or cycling, into your daily routine.
The TLC diet also encourages individuals to cook at home, as it allows them to have more control over their diet. This involves learning how to prepare and cook meals that are both tasty and heart-healthy. Some specific recommendations include baking, broiling, or steaming foods instead of frying, using healthy cooking oils like olive oil, and adding more fish to the diet.
While the TLC diet provides a framework for improving cholesterol levels and managing weight, it is always advisable to consult with a healthcare professional or dietitian before starting any new diet or exercise program. They can provide personalized guidance and ensure that the program is tailored to your specific needs and health goals.
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Physical activity
The TLC (Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes) diet is a well-established eating pattern developed by doctors and researchers to promote heart health and overall wellness. It is a three-part program created by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute to improve cholesterol numbers and lower the risk of heart disease. The TLC program combines diet, physical activity, and weight management to help lower high blood cholesterol and improve heart health.
The TLC program recommends setting SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-bound) goals for physical activity. For example, walking an extra 2,000 steps each day or adding a new physical activity to one's routine each week. It is important to make physical activity a part of one's lifestyle, rather than a quick fix, to achieve long-term heart health.
Additionally, the TLC program encourages family and friends to get involved in physical activities to provide support and make it a fun and social experience. This can help to improve overall well-being and make it easier to stick to the program.
Overall, the TLC program emphasizes that increasing physical activity, in combination with dietary changes and weight management, is a crucial step towards improving heart health and lowering cholesterol.
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Frequently asked questions
TLC stands for Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes. It is a diet created by the National Institutes of Health to help lower blood cholesterol levels and improve heart health.
The TLC diet involves limiting the amount of saturated fat and dietary cholesterol consumed. It recommends eating plenty of fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, whole grains, lean meats, and low- or non-fat dairy products. It also suggests increasing physical activity and controlling other risk factors for heart disease such as smoking and high blood pressure.
The TLC diet lowers cholesterol by reducing the intake of saturated fat and cholesterol from food. It also recommends adding soluble fiber and plant stanols and sterols to daily meals, which have been shown to lower LDL cholesterol levels.
The TLC diet has been shown to lower LDL cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart disease, metabolic disease, and other serious health conditions. It is a well-established eating pattern developed by doctors and researchers to promote heart health and overall wellness.











































