Book excerpt: The Portfolio Diet for Cardiovascular Disease Risk Reduction: An Evidence Based Approach to Lower Cholesterol through Plant Food Consumption examines the science of this recommended dietary approach to reduce cholesterol in addition to other risk factors for cardiovascular disease. With a thorough examination into the scientific rationale for the use of this diet, discussions are included on the experimental findings both for the diet as a whole, and its four principle food components: nuts and seeds, plant based protein, viscous fibers, and plant-sterol-enriched foods. Environmental and ethical considerations of the diet are also discussed, showing the ramifications of food choice on health and beyond. Referenced with data from the latest relevant publications and enhanced with practical details (including tips, dishes, and menus), the reader is enabled to meet the goals of cholesterol lowering and cardiovascular disease risk reduction while also taking the health of the planet into consideration.