We tested the hypotheses that lipid levels change minimally in response to normal food intake and that nonfasting levels predict cardiovascular events. The maximum changes after normal food intake from fasting levels were as follows: total cholesterol -0.2 mmol/l, LDL cholesterol -0.2 mmol/l, HDL cholesterol -0.1 mmol/l, and for triglycerides +0.3 mmol/l. Highest versus lowest tertile of nonfasting total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides, and lowest versus highest tertile of nonfasting HDL cholesterol predicted a 1.7-to 2.2-fold increased risk of cardiovascular events.