How the Right Diet Can Help Control Hypertension

High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a serious condition that can lead to life-threatening health issues if it isn’t managed properly. Luckily, managing your hypertension doesn’t have to be complicated—you just need to make sure you are eating the right foods and limiting unhealthy options. There are a few different approaches you can take to create a diet for hypertension, including avoiding certain foods, using a specific diet, or working with a professional nutritionist.

Foods to Avoid

When it comes to managing your hypertension, certain foods should be avoided. This includes foods high in sodium like processed snacks and fast food, as well as saturated fats like butter and red meat. These foods can increase your blood pressure and worsen hypertension symptoms. It is important to limit these types of food to maintain healthy blood pressure levels. When creating a diet for hypertension, it is important to find alternatives to sodium.

Healthy Foods for Managing Hypertension

On the other hand, there are many healthy foods that can help manage your hypertension. Eating fruits, vegetables, and whole grains with every meal helps reduce cholesterol levels and decreases inflammation throughout the body. Adding fish into your diet at least three times per week is also recommended because of its high omega-3 fatty acid content which helps lower blood pressure levels. Additionally, dairy products like low-fat milk or cheese are beneficial for those with hypertension because they contain calcium which can help reduce tension in the arteries.

The DASH Diet

The DASH diet, also known as the diet for hypertension, stands for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension. It is a diet that was developed by the National Heart Institute with the intention of helping people reduce blood pressure through diet. Eating plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins can help lower blood pressure because these foods are high in important nutrients such as potassium and magnesium which are important minerals that assist in regulating blood pressure levels. To further benefit from the diet, it is recommended to consume limited amounts of sodium, less than 2300 milligrams per day. You should also avoid processed foods and fast-food items which tend to contain higher amounts of salt. Instead consider alternative seasonings like herbs, spices, or citrus juices. This diet is life-changing as following its guidelines can help contribute to better overall health outcomes.

Swap Health

Hypertension is a serious condition that needs to be managed properly to avoid long-term health risks. Changing your diet is one of the most effective ways of controlling high blood pressure levels over time. Limiting unhealthy foods such as processed snacks or saturated fats will help decrease inflammation throughout the body. Adding healthy options like fruits and vegetables as well as fish will provide essential vitamins and minerals needed for maintaining healthy arteries and reducing tension within them. If you need extra assistance creating an ideal nutrition plan tailored specifically towards managing your hypertension, then Swap Health’s app provides certified nutritionists who specialize in this field and are ready to help you control your symptoms through a diet for hypertension. Contact us for more information.