Lowest Cholesterol Foods — Ranked by Processing Level
The top 20 lowest cholesterol foods from 1.98M products, ranked with processing scores. Find cholesterol-free options that are minimally processed.
Cholesterol Data Overview
All nutrient values are per 100g or 100ml. Source: USDA FoodData Central.
Dietary cholesterol has been a topic of evolving science. While the 2020 Dietary Guidelines removed the previous 300mg/day cap, they still recommend eating "as little dietary cholesterol as possible." For those managing heart disease or high cholesterol, low-cholesterol food choices remain important.
We analyzed 1.84 million food products with cholesterol data from the USDA FoodData Central database. The good news for cholesterol-conscious eaters: all plant-based foods are naturally cholesterol-free, and these tend to be among the least processed options.
Top 20 Lowest Cholesterol Foods
Products ranked by cholesterol content per 100g, with processing scores.
| Rank | Product | Cholesterol | Processing | Scores |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Basic 4 Cereal Basic fourProcessed Cereal Products | 0.0mg | Highly | 8.0 3.5 |
| 2 | Bush's Southern Pit Barbecue Grillin' Beans 22 oz Bushs bestVegetables - Prepared/Processed | 0.0mg | Highly | 7.3 6.5 |
| 3 | Bush's Southern Pit Barbecue Grillin' Beans 22 oz Bushs bestVegetables - Prepared/Processed | 0.0mg | Highly | 7.3 6.5 |
| 4 | Country Corn Flakes Cereal Bowlpak Corn flakesProcessed Cereal Products | 0.0mg | Highly | 5.8 5.0 |
| 5 | Bluey Breakfast Cereal 2 Pack KixProcessed Cereal Products | 0.0mg | Processed | 5.0 5.5 |
| 6 | Bluey Breakfast Cereal KixProcessed Cereal Products | 0.0mg | Processed | 5.0 5.5 |
| 7 | Bluey Breakfast Cereal Family Size KixProcessed Cereal Products | 0.0mg | Processed | 5.0 5.5 |
| 8 | Frosted Cheerios Cereal CheeriosProcessed Cereal Products | 0.0mg | Highly | 6.3 3.5 |
| 9 | Frosted Cheerios Cereal CheeriosProcessed Cereal Products | 0.0mg | Highly | 6.3 3.5 |
| 10 | Cascadian Farm Organic Graham Crunch Breakfast Cereal Cascadian farmProcessed Cereal Products | 0.0mg | Processed | 4.0 3.5 |
| 11 | Cascadian Farm Organic Gluten Free Mini Fruitfuls Breakfast Cereal Cascadian farmProcessed Cereal Products | 0.0mg | Processed | 4.5 3.5 |
| 12 | Frosted Cheerios Cereal CheeriosProcessed Cereal Products | 0.0mg | Highly | 6.3 3.5 |
| 13 | Cascadian Farm Organic Gluten Free Fruitful O's Breakfast Cereal Cascadian farmProcessed Cereal Products | 0.0mg | Processed | 4.5 3.5 |
| 14 | Frosted Cheerios Cereal CheeriosProcessed Cereal Products | 0.0mg | Highly | 6.3 3.5 |
| 15 | Frosted Cheerios Cereal CheeriosProcessed Cereal Products | 0.0mg | Highly | 6.3 3.5 |
| 16 | Cascadian Farm Organic Raisin Bran Breakfast Cereal Cascadian farmProcessed Cereal Products | 0.0mg | Processed | 4.0 5.5 |
| 17 | Cascadian Farm Organic Berry Vanilla Puffs Gluten Free Breakfast Cereal Cascadian farmProcessed Cereal Products | 0.0mg | Processed | 4.5 2.0 |
| 18 | Bush's Seasoned Recipe Pinto Beans 16 oz Bushs bestVegetables - Prepared/Processed | 0.0mg | Processed | 4.5 6.5 |
| 19 | Bush's Seasoned Recipe Pinto Beans 16 oz Bushs bestVegetables - Prepared/Processed | 0.0mg | Processed | 4.5 6.5 |
| 20 | Lucky Charms Minis Breakfast Cereal Lucky charmsProcessed Cereal Products | 0.0mg | Ultra | 15.8 3.5 |
The Processing vs. Cholesterol Balance
Cholesterol is found exclusively in animal-derived foods — meats, dairy, eggs, and seafood. All plant foods are naturally cholesterol-free. This means the lowest-cholesterol foods in our database are overwhelmingly plant-based: fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds.
Where processing enters the picture is in "cholesterol-free" animal product substitutes — egg replacers, plant-based meats, and dairy alternatives. While these are indeed cholesterol-free, many achieve their animal-product mimicry through extensive processing, scoring Level 3-4.
The practical takeaway: whole plant foods deliver zero cholesterol at Level 1 processing, without any need for industrial reformulation.
Top 5 Cholesterol Products — Detailed View
Best Low-Processing Cholesterol Options
These products combine high cholesterol content with minimal processing (Level 1-2 only). Proof that you don't need ultra-processed products to get excellent cholesterol.
Cholesterol by Food Category
Average cholesterol content and processing scores across food categories.
| Category | Avg Cholesterol | Avg Processing | Products |
|---|---|---|---|
| Butter/Butter Substitutes | 0.0mg | 9.4 | 217 |
| Vitamins | 0.0mg | 3.8 | 16 |
| Baby/Infant – Foods/Beverages | 0.0mg | 3.5 | 14 |
| Baking | 0.0mg | 3.3 | 24 |
| Vegetables - Unprepared/Unprocessed (Shelf Stable) | 0.0mg | 2.0 | 11 |
| Vegetables Unprepared/Unprocessed (Shelf Stable) | 0.0mg | 1.8 | 23 |
| Vegetables Unprepared/Unprocessed (Frozen) | 0.0mg | 5.8 | 15 |
| Baking/Cooking Supplies (Shelf Stable) | 0.0mg | 8.9 | 39 |
| Vegetables - Prepared/Processed (Frozen) | 0.0mg | 2.2 | 17 |
| Tea and Infusions/Tisanes | 0.0mg | 4.3 | 77 |
| Sugars/Sugar Substitute Products | 0.0mg | 8.4 | 84 |
| Snacks Other | 0.0mg | 5.5 | 11 |
| Cereals Products - Not Ready to Eat (Shelf Stable) | 0.0mg | 7.8 | 20 |
| Pickles/Relishes/Chutneys/Olives | 0.0mg | 6.3 | 345 |
| Peppers | 0.0mg | 1.0 | 12 |
Daily Cholesterol Recommendations
The 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend consuming "as little dietary cholesterol as possible" while maintaining a healthy eating pattern. The previous 300mg/day limit was removed in 2015 due to insufficient evidence linking dietary cholesterol to blood cholesterol for most people. However, those with cardiovascular disease may still benefit from limiting intake.
Practical Tips
- 1All plant foods are naturally cholesterol-free — no need for "cholesterol-free" labels on plant products
- 2Egg yolks contain about 186mg cholesterol each; egg whites have zero — both score Level 1 on processing
- 3Plant-based meat alternatives are cholesterol-free but often score Level 3-4 on processing due to extensive ingredient lists
- 4Shellfish (shrimp, lobster) are high in cholesterol but low in saturated fat — dietary cholesterol impact varies by individual
How We Score Products
Every product is evaluated using two independent scores. The Processing Score (lower is better) measures the degree of industrial processing based on ingredient analysis, including the presence of artificial additives, preservatives, and highly modified ingredients. The Nutrition Score (higher is better) rates overall nutritional quality, rewarding protein and fiber while penalizing excess sodium, added sugars, and saturated fat.
Products are assigned to one of four processing levels: Minimal (score ≤ 2.5), Processed (2.6 – 5.0), Highly Processed (5.1 – 8.0), and Ultra-Processed (above 8.0). Brand averages are calculated across all products in the category to produce the rankings shown here.
Based on analysis of 1.98 million products in the USDA FoodData Central database. For a deeper look at the methodology, see our Processing Score guide and Two-Score System explanation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What foods have zero cholesterol?
All plant-based foods — fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, and plant oils — contain zero cholesterol. Cholesterol is only found in animal-derived products.
Does eating cholesterol raise blood cholesterol?
The relationship is more complex than once believed. For most people, dietary cholesterol has a modest impact on blood cholesterol levels. Saturated fat and trans fat have a larger effect. Individual response varies, and those with cardiovascular disease should consult their doctor.
Are plant-based meat alternatives healthy for cholesterol?
While cholesterol-free, many plant-based meats are ultra-processed (Level 3-4) with long ingredient lists. Whole plant proteins like beans, lentils, and tofu deliver zero cholesterol at Level 1 processing with simpler ingredients.
Related Food Guides
Learn more about how individual foods are classified.
More Nutrition Guides
Disclaimer: All tools and data visualizations are provided for educational and informational purposes only. They are not intended as health, medical, or dietary advice. Product formulations change frequently — always check the actual label for current ingredients and nutrition facts before making purchasing decisions. Consult healthcare professionals for personalized dietary guidance.