What are the effects of peanuts and watermelon on cholesterol?

I am 54 year old diabetic. I am controlling my sugar level purely by following strict food regimen and exercise routines. My cholesterol is also a bit high- 214 (HDL 39, LDL 149). I love pea nuts. Can I consume peanuts generously as and when I feel like? Further is it anything wrong in having water melon in large quantity? GI of water melon is known to be high. Thanks.

Peanuts are a good food though they do have a lot of fat and some of naturally saturated. High fat foods tend to raise cholesterol, however, the fat in peanuts is considered a good fat and some studies have indicated that peanuts can in fact improve your lipid profile. Some researchers believe that the benefit does not come directly from peanuts but rather by peanuts displacing worse foods like meat and dairy.

One of the things diatitians look at now is glyucemic load in addition to glycemic index. While the glycemic index of watermelon is high the glycemic load is fairly low. As a diabetic glycemic load is the more important number to look at.

The doctors who have successfully lowered cholesterol and reversed heart dissease with diet are the ones who advocate no or very little animal products like Pritican, Ornish, McDougal, Furman, and Esselstyn.

Something you should consider and discuss with your doctor is taking Niacin. My doctor told me that Niacin is the only agent that improves all three areas of your lipid profile. Everything else only workes on one or two. It raises good cholesterol, lowers bad cholesterol, and lowers triglycerides. My cholesterol is great (between 138 and 150 in the last 5 physicals) but my triglycerides have been a bit high (210-ish). Last physical Niacin seemed to have improves all three of my numbers by a few points. Loosing weight will also improve your lipid profile; that is my biggest challenge.