Written or medically reviewed by a board-certified physician. See About.com's Medical Review Policy.

Updated March 08, 2014.

It is often said that variety is the spice of life. Nowhere is this more true than restaurant dining. Exploring different varieties of foods is one of life's great joys. From Thai curries to Italian pastas, Spanish tapas to Greek tzatziki sauce, here are some hints and menu plans for cholesterol-friendly ethnic food choices.

Caribbean

Try: Jerk (spiced) chicken or fish, lobster, crab, sweet potato, bean dishes.

Avoid: Fried conch, fried plantains; watch your rice portions.

Chinese

Try: Hot and sour soup, steamed vegetable dumplings, tofu, bean curd, lobster sauce, steamed mixed vegetables; ask for foods to be prepared "light on the oil."

Avoid: Deep fried or breaded dishes, wonton soup, fried egg rolls, breaded dishes, duck, hoisin sauce, fried rice.

French/European

Try: Poached, steamed or broiled entrees, clear broth or consommee with noodles or vegetables, cornish game hen (skin removed).

Avoid: Cream soups, goose or duck, croissant, pastries, cream sauces.

Greek

Try: Greek salad (without dressing or light on dressing, and light on the feta); tzatziki (yogurt) or hummus dips; grilled vegetables meze (table appetizer or platter); chicken souvlaki (kabob); grilled, pan-seared or broiled seafood.

Avoid: Moussaka , lamb dishes, and limit your rice and pita portions. And, although olive oil is a healthy fat, it is very calorie-dense, so watch your portions.

Indian

Try: Tandoori spiced dishes, raita (cucumber side), saag (spinach) dishes.

Avoid : Paneer (cheeses), cream, almond-crusted dishes, deep-fried samosas (pastry dumplings) and poppadums (bread). Limit your rice and nan (bread) portions.

Italian

Try: Peppers, mushrooms, cacciatore dishes, light red or wine sauces, florentine (spinach dishes), primavera, capers, sun-dried tomatoes, artichokes, spicy marinara sauce.

Avoid: Alfredo, carbonara, parmigiana, cannelloni, veal sausage, saltimbocca, fried dishes.

Mexican

Try: Spicy chicken, mole sauce, picante salsa (hot), simmered, corn tortillas, basic or salsa verde , lettuce, tomato.

Avoid: Deep-fried entrees, refried beans, bacon, chorizo, deep-fried taco bowls, sour cream.

Middle-Eastern

Try: Hummus, cucumber dishes, yogurt sauces, chutneys, curries, grape leaves.

Avoid: Lamb dishes, fried falafel, breads made with butter.

Southern US

Try: Microwaved, boiled or broiled collard greens, whole wheat macaroni with low-fat cheese, try baked "fried" chicken, cajun or gullah (onion, garlic powder and paprika mix) spice seasonings, citrus fruits.

Avoid: Fried chicken, pork ribs, pecan pie.

Spanish/ Tapas

Try: Gazpacho (cold tomato soup), ceviche (cold fish soup), etas alhomo (garlic sauce mushroom) pimiento relleno (stuffed pepper), gambas a la pracha (small portion of shrimp sautéed in garlic).

Avoid: Bacon dishes, chopitos (fried squid), dishes with extra oil, and limit sangria (fruited wine) to one 6oz glass.

Thai

Try: Chicken or beef satay (kabob) appetizers as your entrée, a broth based seafood soup, and a side of mixed steamed vegetables, herbal teas.

Avoid: Coconut milk curries and other dishes; limit your portions of rice, and limit portions of Thai iced teas by splitting one with a friend.