TLC Diet Sample Menu

The TLC (Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes) diet can help lower your cholesterol. It is recommended by the National Cholesterol Education Program of the U.S. National Institutes of Health.

Here is a sample one-day menu. The menu contains approximately 2,200 calories, with 25% of calories from total fat (5% from saturated fat, 13% from monounsaturated fat, and 7% from polyunsaturated fat).

Breakfast

  • ½ cup oatmeal with 1 cup fat-free milk, 1 teaspoon of brown sugar, and 1 sliced banana
  • Caffe latte made with 1 cup fat-free milk

Lunch

  • Sandwich made from 2 slices whole wheat bread, 2 ounces lean turkey, 1 tablespoon mayonnaise, lettuce, and tomato
  • 1 cup carrot sticks
  • 1 apple

Snack

  • 1 cup low-fat or nonfat vanilla yogurt
  • ½ cup mixed raisins and peanuts

Dinner

  • 3 ounces baked or broiled salmon
  • 1 cup cooked brown rice
  • 1 cup cooked broccoli
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (used in cooking)
  • Salad made with 1½ cups romaine lettuce, ½ cup tomatoes, ¼ cucumber, 1 tablespoon vinegar and oil dressing
  • 1 slice Italian bread with 1 teaspoon soft margarine

Snack

  • 1 sliced peach with 1 cup fat-free milk

Other Works Consulted

  • National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (2005). Your Guide to Lowering Your Cholesterol With TLC (NIH Publication No. 06-5235). Available online: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/chol/chol_tlc.pdf.

ByHealthwise Staff
Primary Medical Reviewer E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer Rhonda O'Brien, MS, RD, CDE - Certified Diabetes Educator
Colleen O'Connor, PhD, RD - Registered Dietitian

Current as ofJanuary 27, 2016