Blood Pressure Diet

High blood pressure or hypertension is almost impossible to cure thoroughly. But then, by making certain changes in your lifestyle you can surely control its effects on you. One of the most important things to change is your DIET. Diet for blood pressure patients should be low in cholesterol. In fact you should plan a diet management chart. Use following guidelines for this:

Avoid salty food
Take only the required amount of salt in your meal. You can avoid extra salt in your diet by

1) Placing baking powder and soda on your not-to-touch list
2) Saying ‘no’ to salty items such as pickles and chips
3) Avoiding canned and tinned foodstuff containing salt
4) Not eating sea fish, dried fish, and salted meat
5) Saying no to dried fruits, fried foods, sweets and cakes, especially if you are overweight.

Don’t be overweight
Maintaining healthy weight is very important in controlling blood pressure. With intake of too many calories you will never be able to do so. Also, limit your intake of protein to 20 gm/day. More so, when you are chronically hypertensive.

Stay away from fats
You should also avoid consuming too many fats, as too many fats can cause arteriosclerosis. Animal fat or hydrogenated oils, liver, meat, egg yolk, lobster, crab and prawns should be reduced in your diet. Your source of fat should be corn oil, olive oil and sunflower oil.

Take vitamins and minerals
Eat more garlic and gooseberry. Fat and sodium, if taken in moderation, can help you control your blood pressure. Take potassium in adequate amount. Celery is a good source of potassium.

No to alcohol and smoking
Don't touch alcohol and/or indulge in smoking. It worsens the condition.

Go dash way!
Last but not the least, try to follow the DASH diet. It is mainly designed for people suffering from hypertension. The diet is full of fruits, vegetables and complex carbohydrates and it contains less of fat, saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium. The diet is high in potassium, magnesium, and calcium.