We were made to be able to get all the nutrients we need right out of the ground. When it comes to finding diets for good cholesterol you have to look no further that what is available from Mother Nature.

Diets for good cholesterol don't have to be expensive to make or difficult to prepare, all you need to do is learn to incorporate several key ingredients into as many meals as you can.

These foods are naturally good at helping you get your good cholesterol levels high, your bad levels low and keeping them that way.

Make a list and the next time you go to the grocery store stock up on these things. You can find many recipes that will include one or more of these items or you can just switch out some recipes that you currently have and add these foods instead.

Here you go:

1. Beans. These little wonders are a great source of protein and fiber and they can even help you raise your good levels and lower your bad levels.

2. Salmon. This fish along with others like tuna, sardines and herrings, can also provide a lot of omega 3 acids. This is a great ingredient to help you maintain a healthy heart.

According to the American Heart Association you should eat at least 2 servings of fish per week.

3. Brown rice. Brown rice can provide a high protein low fat alternative to other side dishes. Another benefit of brown rice? It is a great source of fiber too.

4. Apples. You know the whole "apple a day keeps the doctor away"? Well, turns out that that is true! Apples have pectin which is a soluble fiber that can decrease the bad cholesterol in the blood stream.

5. Nuts. Many types of nuts are loaded with polyunsaturated fats which can help reduce cholesterol levels. Some of the best are hazel nuts, almonds and walnuts.

Remember though, that nuts are high in fat so you don't want to eat too much of them. Limit your intake to a cup a day.

It is true, too much of a good thing can be bad.

6. Various fruits that are high in antioxidants are a great addition to your diet too. They taste great and can be added to many types of recipes. Blueberries are one example.

Of course, it's not just about what you eat, it's also about what you do. It is important that you move your body and get some exercise.

Many people seem to have a bit of a block when it comes to exercise. They seem to think that it will be hard but that doesn't have to be the case.

You can, and should, start small. Simple changes can make a big difference. Just start taking your dog for a walk every day, for example.

Park a little further away from the store or your office to force yourself walk.

As you can see, there are some simple changes you can make to help you get your cholesterol levels in check. There are many diets for good cholesterol, just find the one that works best for you.

Losing weight is not the only reason why people make changes to their diet. The food we eat has an effect on our health, so choosing the right diet can help lower or eliminate certain health problems. A cholesterol lowering diet is good example. If you have problems with your cholesterol, then what you eat can have a positive effect on your overall health.

If you are not yet on medication for cholesterol, then a diet may prevent you from having to get a prescription. In most cases, once you start taking medicine to control your cholesterol levels, you need to keep taking it. So, it makes a lot of sense to do whatever you can to get your cholesterol under control using natural methods.

NOTE: Always consult your doctor before changing your diet, and never change how you take medicine (that includes stopping or altering your dose) without first consulting your personal physician. They will know your personal health history and be able to help you develop a plan of action that's best for you.

Cholesterol occurs in fats known as lipids. It's soft and waxy and serves some beneficial services in the body. It isn't dissolved in the bloodstream, and is moved from cell to cell by lipoproteins. It's these lipoproteins that are measured when your cholesterol is checked. The main ones that are being screened for are high-density lipoprotein and low-density lipoprotein (HDL and LDL for short, respectively).

A cholesterol lowering diet helps to lower the amount of LDL, which is commonly referred to as "bad" cholesterol. That's because this is the kind that builds up in the arteries and creates plaque. This slows down the flow of blood to all parts of the body, including the brain and heart. If the flow of blood slows too much or a clot is formed, then it can lead to a heart attack or stroke. For the record, these are two of the leading causes of death, so getting your cholesterol under control could save your life.

The main component of a cholesterol lowering diet is increasing fiber intake. A breakfast of 1.5 cups of oatmeal (don't use instant oatmeal) topped with a sliced banana will give you a great start toward getting enough fiber for the day. Have a salad at lunch and garnish it with an ounce or two of almonds or walnuts for a healthy boost of fiber.

The other nutrient that helps manage your cholesterol is omega-3 fatty acids. The best animal source of these is fish (especially salmon), while flax seed is the best plant source. Having grilled or baked fish a few times a week, and sprinkling flax seed on various foods will give you a good amount of omega-3s.

The final element of a cholesterol lowering diet is finding foods that contain sterols. Nuts and seeds, whole grains, legumes and wheat germ are good food sources of sterols, but it's hard to get all you need every day. The good news is that you can by sterol-fortified margarine, juice, energy bars and cookies. You have to admit that any eating plan that lets you eat cookies is one that will be easy to stick to.

If you are not feeling well due to the cold or the flu, you will obviously want to do whatever you can to speed up recovery and get back on with your life. A lot of people turn to drugs or just try to wait it out, but what many people do not know is that there are a lot of all natural remedies you can use. Many of which are common in most house holds.

1. Chicken Soup. Chicken Soup and the flu have always gone hand in hand. While the science behind whether or not chicken soup really helps cure ailments may be a bit iffy, the fact of the matter is that it just makes you feel good. A nice bowl of warm soup has been known to help diminish the symptoms of the cold or flu and make people feel better for a long time. One of the possible reasons being the ginger found in the soup.

2. Ginger. Carrying off there, ginger is a great medicinal herb that has been used by asian nations for centuries. It can have a very soothing effect on the human body, able to diminish or outright cure symptoms such as an upset stomach. A cup of warm ginger tea is the perfect home remedy for a sore throat as well. If you are suffering from the cold, or the flu especially, make sure to get yourself some ginger as it really can make quite a difference.

3. Honey. Like Chicken Soup and the flu, honey and the flu can go together quite well. Honey is a known anti-viral that will help your immune system fight off the flu virus. It can also sooth your sore throat and act as a natural cough syrup. Not only that, but honey contains properties that can help boost your immune system, further aiding it in it's fight against the virus.

4. Oranges. Oranges are a great and tasty way to boost your immune system. Oranges are rich in Vitamin C which is known to strengthen your immune system. If you regularly take in Vitamin C every several hours, it can help alleviate your flu symptoms. They can also be used to prevent the flu all together by keeping your immune system strong.

5. Kiwi. Kiwi's are similar to oranges in that they have a high Vitamin C content, so for those out there who do not like oranges, this can serve as a good alternative. Kiwi's can also work to help alleviate upper respiratory issues that are so common with the cold and the flu.

6. Water. Water is right up there with Chicken Soup and the flu. Both of them are treatments everybody knows and uses. When you are sick your body is fighting off the virus as best it can, and you need to support it. However another reason you need to drink plenty of water is because you actually expel a lot of fluids when you have the flu. Vomiting and diarrhea can cause you to lose a lot of water which can dehydrate you. So drinking plenty of water can counter this.