‘Overlooked’ breakfast food that can lower cholesterol naturally

‘Overlooked’ breakfast food that can lower cholesterol naturallyA simple breakfast swap could help reduce cholesterol levels more than other cerealsCommentsNewsSamantha Leathers Senior Money & Lifestyle writer11:41, 20 Apr 2026View 3 ImagesThe nutritionist explained why it is so good for your cholesterol levels(Image: GETTY)People looking to lower their cholesterol levels will have heard how vital adding more fibre to their diet can be. However, one expert has highlighted an often overlooked food that could provide your fibre fill in your first meal of the day.‌Sarah Fancourt, lead nutritionist at Guosto, explained why people should be adding barley to their breakfast. She said: “Barley is an excellent source of beta-glucan fibre, which can help reduce LDL cholesterol and support heart health. It’s also naturally high in fibre, which helps support digestion and keeps you feeling fuller for longer.”‌Barley is often associated with soups and stews but it can also be a surprisingly good breakfast addition that can be very similar to oat porridge. Gousto’s lead recipe developer, Sophie Nahmad said: “Cooked barley has a naturally creamy texture and a slightly nutty flavour.‌View 3 ImagesA nutritionist explained the simple everyday swap(Image: GETTY)“It’s really easy to make and works beautifully as a breakfast bowl topped with fruit, yoghurt, and nuts.”Barley can be incorporated into your breakfast with barley breakfast oats or barley porridge. It’s can also be easily adapted into your usual overnight oats recipes although it may not be suitable for people with gluten intolerances.‌Sarah continued: “Barley is one of the richest natural sources of beta-glucan, the same cholesterol-lowering soluble fibre found in oats. This type of fibre forms a gel-like substance in the gut that helps reduce the amount of cholesterol absorbed into the bloodstream.“It’s a simple ingredient that can have a big impact when included regularly in your diet.”READ MORE: Mum sheds 17st, quitt...