A healthy diet is a great first step towards a healthy heart. Combined with a solid exercise program, it can take you a long way towards living long, healthy and productive life. The number one concern with respect to diet is your cholesterol level.

The types of food you eat, in particular, the amount and types of fat, can make a huge difference in your health. Surprisingly, cholesterol in food is not the biggest contributor to cholesterol in your blood stream. That distinction belongs to saturated fats.

Saturated fats are those that are found in fatty cuts of meat, whole milk, butter, cream, ice cream and cheese to name a few. While it is not realistic to ask you to avoid these altogether, it is best to use them as little as possible.

Just as was the case with cholesterol, not all the news about fats is bad. Unsaturated fats, which usually originate from vegetables can actually lower your cholesterol levels when used in small doses. Unsaturated fats usually come in the form of cooking oils and can usually replace butter in your diet, at least most of the time.

Dietary cholesterol also will raise your blood cholesterol level. Dietary cholesterol is only found in animal products, not in vegetables. Foods to cut down on if your cholesterol level is too high are egg yolks, and most meat products.

So try to stick to non-fatty meats, vegetables, fruits, and grains, and–here's some good news–have a glass of wine occasionally. Alcohol has been shown to raise the amount of HDL cholesterol (the good cholesterol) with no side effects when used in moderation.