There may be a pill for everything these days, but not everybody wants to pump their body full of medication. So if you're looking for a drug-free way to lower your cholesterol there's one big thing that helps.

Be more aware about your eating.

There are lots of foods that can naturally lower your cholesterol so you can avoid taking (and paying for!) all those pills.

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    Pistachios

    These are my father's favorites...and come to think of it he's never had cholesterol issues. Research has linked pistachio intake with improved lipid profiles, which means they raise your good cholesterol while lowering your bad cholesterol. And these helpful nuts also protect your cells from the damage that allows plaque to build up in your arteries.

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    Hummus

    You can dip anything in this heart healthy and cholesterol lowering food! Chips, carrots sticks, crackers...the list goes on and on. And with so many flavors of hummus there's bound to be one you love. Just a little bit of hummus can mean big health results. The chickpeas used to make this tasty treat can give you half your daily value of fiber in just one snack.

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    B-grains

    You may think Buckwheat is just an adorable character from The Little Rascals, but it's also a fiber rich grain that can help lower cholesterol. Cooking with B-grains like buckwheat, barley and bulgar is super healthy and offers lots of variety. From pasta to pancakes there's plenty of ways to mix B-grains into your diet.

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    Edamame

    I know David Duran will make fun of me for this, but I LOVE edamame. When I discovered you could buy it at the supermarket and make it at home, I was thrilled. These Asian restaurant staples are simply soy beans. You steam them up, throw on a little salt and eat the beans right out of the pod. A great snack that not only lowers the bad cholesterol, but also fills you up pretty quickly, so you end up eating less as well.

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    Cherries

    Cherries get their rich red color from anthocyanin, a type of phytonutrient with powerful antioxidant capabilities. This simply means that snacking on juicy, red cherries or even adding dried cherries to your salad can keep you healthy while tasting delicious.

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    Pumpkin

    It's the perfect season for this healthy food, so start nibbling away on those pumpkin treats. From pumpkin as a side dish to your meal, to breakfast muffins or just pumpkin seeds as a snack they are all high in fiber which is great for lowering your cholesterol.

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    Sesame Oil

    Lots of cooking requires oil. From vegetable oil to olive oil the level of healthiness ranges. But new studies have found that using sesame oil is a good source of Vitamin E, calcium, iron and more. So maybe switch up your oil for their heart healthier (and slightly nutty tasting) alternative.

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    Bananas

    As Gwen Stefani would say b-a-n-a-n-a-s. They are fun to sing about and great for you! Another high fiber food that can actually remove cholesterol from your digestive system and prevent it from moving into your bloodstream and clogging up your arteries. So perhaps its a banana a day that will keep the doctor away.

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    Sardines

    Not my personal favorite, but these little fish can do big things for your cholesterol. Packed with omega-3's but lower in mercury than many other fish, sardines are good for you even in canned form. Just make sure you buy them in water, not oil!

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    Chia Seeds

    They are small, get stuck in your teeth and pack a serious health punch. Chia seeds can go in or on anything and add fiber, protein and antioxidants to any meal. You can even throw them into a cake or muffin mix to give a heart healthy boost to your baked goods!

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