Lamb is a flavorful and nutrient-rich meat, but its cholesterol content may raise concerns for people monitoring their heart health.

A 3-ounce cut of cooked lamb delivers about 25 grams of protein, plus good quantities of potassium and vitamin B-12. It’s also a good source of iron, magnesium, selenium, and omega-3 fatty acids.

Cholesterol travels in our bodies in lipoproteins, which are protein-covered fats. Two main types exist: low-density lipoproteins (LDL) and high-density lipoproteins (HDL). You need healthy levels of both for good health.

LDL is known as “bad” cholesterol. High levels of it can build up in your arteries. This can cause them to narrow and limit the flow of blood to and from your heart and brain, which may lead to a heart attack or stroke.

HDL is referred to as the “good” kind of cholesterol. It takes cholesterol from other parts of your body back to your liver, which helps manage cholesterol or removes it from your body.

While it is more important to focus on overall risk, it is helpful to have some cholesterol guidelines.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the optimal LDL level in the body is less than 100 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL). A level of 130 to 159 mg/dL is considered borderline high.

Unlike LDL, having high HDL cholesterol is protective. A higher number is better. The CDC recommends an HDL level of at least 40 mg/dL in men and 50 mg/dL in women.

Lamb may have saturated fat, but choosing a lean cut means you’ll get less of it. Look for tenderloin, loin chops, or legs.

There is a lot of controversy about saturated fat. It’s not necessarily “bad” for you, though it doesn’t have the same health benefits as monounsaturated fat or polyunsaturated fat.

The way you prepare the lamb matters, too. Before cooking, trim off as much fat as possible.

To cook the lamb, you can fry, grill, roast, broil, or bake the meat. Put a rack underneath the meat while cooking to capture fat drippings. This way, the meat does not cook in the fat.

If you choose to fry the meat, keep in mind that fried foods are more likely to have trans fats. Frying foods at high temperatures may introduce harmful chemicals.

Cooked lamb delivers just about equal amounts of monounsaturated fats and saturated fats.

What does this mean for your diet? Eating lamb in moderation can help maintain a healthy diet and healthy cholesterol levels. It helps to choose lean cuts of lamb when possible and to stay mindful of your cooking methods.