Trial treatments: The portfolio dietary advice will conform to current therapeutic diets appropriate for hypercholesterolemic subjects (<7% of energy saturated fat, <200 mg/d cholesterol) plus the combination of viscous fibers, soy protein, plant sterols and almonds. The portfolio diet plan will include foods which contribute 8 g/1000 kcal viscous fiber as β-glucan (oats, barley, oat bran breads and soups) and psyllium (cereal), 1 g plant sterol/1000 kcal diet (in sterol margarine), 22 g soy protein/1000 kcal (soy burgers, dogs, links, other meat analogues, milks, yogurts and cheese) and 22 g almonds/1000 kcal. The Step 2 therapeutic diet will encourage a similar macronutrient profile through the use of cereal fibers and whole grains. All diets will emphasize fruit and vegetable intakes (5-10 servings/d) according to current recommendations. Participants will be instructed on how to select and follow these diets and will be provided with only the margarine component of the portfolio and Step 2 therapeutic diets. The Step 2 therapeutic diet group will be encouraged to follow a diet of whole grain foods (brown rice, whole wheat breads, muffins and breakfast cereals), low saturated fat meat and dairy foods with a control margarine. The degree to which the portfolio diet can be made effective after routine instruction compared to more intensive instruction is the key issue in this study.