7 Foods to Avoid If You Have High Blood Pressure or Hypertension

pickles are high in sodiumDo you have high blood pressure or hypertension? If so, take a look at these foods you should avoid due to their high sodium content. The upper limit of sodium per day is 2300 mg (1 teaspoon). Too much sodium does direct damage to the heart and arteries and raises blood pressure significantly.

Here are common foods that quickly add up sodium in your diet:

  1. Pickles – one medium size pickle (about 5 inches long) has approximately 570 mg of sodium.
  2. Canned Chicken Noodle Soup – up to 880 mg of sodium per one-cup serving
  3. Sauerkraut – ½ cup has about 460 mg of sodium
  4. Fast food French fries – has approximately 270 mg of sodium and 19 grams of unhealthy fat.
  5. Bacon – 3 slices has about 270 mg of sodium and 4.5 grams of fat
  6. Frozen pot pies – one serving has about 1300-1400 mg of sodium.
  7. Ramen noodles – one package has about 1580 mg of sodium

Other foods to avoid include fried foods, margarine, any products with transfatty acids, and overall avoid white foods including white sugar, pasta, rice, bread, etc. As an oil, use primarily extra virgin, first cold-pressed olive oil in your salads and food. Avoid using vegetable oils for cooking. You are better off using a little butter or coconut oil. An alkaline diet is recommended (focus on alkaline foods such as vegetables, salads, low-sugar fruits, certain grains such as barley and quinoa), keeping acidic foods to a minimum, including red meat, sugar and refined carbohydrates.

See more at: https://www.healthcentral.com/high-blood-pressure/cf/slideshows/10-foods-to-avoid-with-high-blood-pressure?ap=104#slide=15