Plant Sterols

Pam's Super Healthy Sprout Salad

We all know how good for us plant sterols are for us - hence the reason they are plugged as cholesterol fighters. We buy expensive margarines and yoghurt drinks and we work hard at controlling the dreaded cholesterol.

But did you know that plant sterols are found in ordinary everyday foods too?

We need approx 2.5g of these wonder sterols a day (which obviously consuming said margarine, yoghurts etc will aid).

But here's a few (useful) surprises for you!
This is approximate and in mg per 100g fresh produce;

Brown rice - 87
Peas (dried)- 135
Beans (dried) - 127
Almonds - 138
Walnuts - 108
Pistachios - 108
Beetroot - 25
Broccoli - 37
Parsley - 28
Fresh garden peas - 30
Alfalfa sprouts - 20
Apple - 18
Blueberries - 26
Raspberries - 27
Green grapes - 20
Orange - 23
Rice bran oil - 1055
Flax seed oil - 338
Olive oil - 176
Coconut oil - 91

(Source: V Piironen, et al; 'Plant Sterols in vegetables, fruit and berries' Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, 2003; 83/4; 330-337)

Soya products are amongst the best sources and just 50 grams of tofu 

gives you your daily target of 2.5g!