If you swap meat and dairy proteins for beans, nuts, and grains in your diet, your good cholesterol (HDL) and fat levels (triglycerides) won’t change much—so the health perks of eating more plants probably come from lowering your bad cholesterol instead.

If you swap out meat and dairy for foods like nuts, seeds, beans, and veggies, you’ll eat less cholesterol and more of the good fats—by about 150 milligrams less cholesterol and 1.2% more healthy fats in your daily calories.

People who eat mostly plants like vegetables, fruits, beans, and nuts tend to have lower levels of the 'bad' cholesterol in their blood, probably because these foods are full of fiber, antioxidants, and good fats.

Eating mostly plants like vegetables, fruits, beans, and whole grains can help lower bad fats in your blood, which might keep your heart healthier and reduce your risk of heart disease.

If you eat half your protein from plants and half from animals, you’ll get more fiber and healthier fats than if you get most of your protein from meat—plus, your bad cholesterol levels will be about the same as if you ate mostly plant protein.

A predominantly plant-based dietary pattern incorporating lean animal proteins provides adequate protein, essential fatty acids, micronutrients, and dietary fiber, while conferring metabolic benefits comparable to low-carbohydrate diets without elevating LDL cholesterol or increasing cardiovascular risk.