Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, is often referred to by health experts as the ‘silent killer. Because there are no obvious visible signs or symptoms of the condition. It can lead to a wide range of very serious, and potentially fatal health issues.
As dangerous as hypertension can be, it can be naturally managed with a healthy lifestyle. Unhealthy foods, particularly processed ones rich in sodium and trans fats can dramatically increase your blood pressure if consumed regularly.
To help keep hypertension at bay, here are several foods to avoid if you wish to maintain healthy blood pressure.
Salty snacks
Needless to say, as salt (sodium) is one of the main catalysts for high blood pressure, those at risk of high blood pressure or dealing with the condition, should avoid foods high in salt whenever possible. Health experts recommend between 1500mg and 2300mg of sodium per day for the average adult. Foods such as potato chips, salted peanuts, salted popcorn, and crackers, are often very high in sodium.
Potato chips are notoriously salty. They are fried in hydrogenated fats, which can lead to increased LDL cholesterol levels. A 1-ounce serving of potato chips could provide between 50 – 200mg of sodium.
If you do enjoy these types of snacks, look for low or no-sodium versions of them instead.
Chips
French fries are one of the unhealthiest foods in the world, and they are most certainly particularly bad for people with high blood pressure, or at risk of it.
They also called Pommes Frites are sliced thinly before being deep fried in oil, usually animal fat or hydrogenated vegetable oil. As they’re so small and thin, they have a large surface area, soaking up more of the fat they’re being fried in.
Once they’ve been cooked, French fries are then heavily salted, and as you know, salty foods need to be avoided.
So, not only are French fries high in calories and full of trans fats, they’re also covered in salt.
Canned soups
A homemade soup in general is very healthy. You can add plenty of vegetables, herbs, and spices and control how much oil you use and salt you add. Canned soups, however, are a different story entirely.
Canned soups are usually rich in sodium to help bump up the flavor profile and make the soups more appetizing.
Depending on which brand and flavor you opt for, some canned soups can provide as much as 900mg of sodium per serving. That’s nearly half your recommended daily sodium intake, in just one can of soup.
Rather than relying on canned soups, why not make your own and bulk it out with extra veggies full of nutrients, or at the very least look for low-sodium recipes?
Processed meat
Processed meat such as salami, sliced ham, hot dogs, sausage, bacon, bologna, pepperoni, and other luncheon meats are dangerously high in sodium, trans fats, and other additives that do the body no good at all.
A typical serving of processed meat provides around 750 – 800mg of sodium.
Rather than eating processed meats, stick with lean sources of protein such as chicken breast, fish, and leaner cuts of meat instead.
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