For those with high blood pressure: what food should/shouldn't you eat?
paradi3s
Posts: 343 Member
The title says it all. The other day, my dad's bp went up the roof (180/115 to be exact). Lucky he didn't collapse or get a stroke. It's got my whole family and i worried, so as the eldest daughter dealing with a very stubborn father, ill be in charge of cooking/what we eat in the house from now on. So my question is, what are the food that iss and isn't allowed? I know it's okay to eat everything in moderation, but if you knew my dad... i want him to start getting used to less rice andjunk. Im just not sure how to start
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Replies
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How did rice get on your junk list? High fiber, low sodium, fatty fish and lose weight if he needs to. Low sodium is hard to do. Try curries and vinegar or citrus for flavor with less salt.0
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Instead of thinking of taking away foods, think of two foods that you would like him to try adding.0
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Start by reducing the amount of salt in all your food. I have high blood pressure and it has helped a lot. Read labels and shoot for below 10% DV.0
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When my mom was on a restricted diet we found her brommel and brown yogurt spread. It is expeller pressed with no cholesterol and was doctor approved. Its a butter margerine substitute. No hydrogenated oils. It is great on dishes you would use butter in, but it does not work well for panfrying or sauteeing, stuff will still stick to the pan.0
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sheldonklein wrote: »How did rice get on your junk list? High fiber, low sodium, fatty fish and lose weight if he needs to. Low sodium is hard to do. Try curries and vinegar or citrus for flavor with less salt.
Oh no it isnt in the junk list, i just want him to lessen his rice intake along with junk food. My bad! (He can eat 3 cups in one sitting!)
He's 210lbs and I'm planning to get his TDEE and lessen the calorie intake by 10-15%.
Thank you! :-)
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Instead of thinking of taking away foods, think of two foods that you would like him to try adding.
Will try incorporatibg even more colorful fruits and vegetables, then! My problem is how to get him to stop or at least lessen his eating, since like me before, he cant and wont stop until there's literally no food on the table.0 -
Lissa_Kaye wrote: »When my mom was on a restricted diet we found her brommel and brown yogurt spread. It is expeller pressed with no cholesterol and was doctor approved. Its a butter margerine substitute. No hydrogenated oils. It is great on dishes you would use butter in, but it does not work well for panfrying or sauteeing, stuff will still stick to the pan.
Hopefully they have it here, since my dad uses a lot of butter on his toast, too. I started making him a sandwich with sugar free jam instead haha. I'm also planning to start lessening the fried stuff or using olive oil if we do, is that ok?0 -
Don't use olive oil for frying. It loses its properties at high heat. Use a different oil.Lissa_Kaye wrote: »When my mom was on a restricted diet we found her brommel and brown yogurt spread. It is expeller pressed with no cholesterol and was doctor approved. Its a butter margerine substitute. No hydrogenated oils. It is great on dishes you would use butter in, but it does not work well for panfrying or sauteeing, stuff will still stick to the pan.
Hopefully they have it here, since my dad uses a lot of butter on his toast, too. I started making him a sandwich with sugar free jam instead haha. I'm also planning to start lessening the fried stuff or using olive oil if we do, is that ok?
The sugar free stuff might not be as good for him as the butter is. Try not to go by your own instinct on this. See if he can get his doctor to send him to a dietician and then you go with him.
Fat is good according to what the gov and science is telling us now. But fried foods tend to have more calories.
If you feel that he is eating too much rice and toast, then design meals without them.
For example, cook chill and beans with two veggie dishes on the side (baked butternut squash and sautéed broccoli with garlic.)
Cook some salmon because it has Omega 3s. Pair it with lots of colorful veggies.
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I have high blood pressure and have been on medication for it for years. I avoid pre packaged foods such as ready meals, don't add salt to my cooking or at the table, have reduced my caffeine intake (but not cut it out completely) and I don't eat many processed meats such as bacon or ham.
There are some foods that are supposed to be beneficial to lower blood pressure such as beetroot which would be worth a try. I love it raw in salads or in smoothies.0 -
I have hypertension, and nothing helped lower it more than weight loss and exercise. Some types are sodium reactive (need eat less salt, cured meats and canned foods), others are fructose reactive (need to eat less fruits) - though this one is still in the early stages of research, some have problems with both, and others have no problems with either.
Does your father love garlic? Try introducing a clove or two of raw garlic with every meal. Slice or crush it, leave it out for 5 or so minutes (to increase the blood vessel relaxing component) then add it to foods. My favorite way to take it is to have tzatziki, which is really tasty. This may also produce mild reduction in his LDL cholesterol as a bonus.
Does he like tea? A few cups of hibiscus tea can be really good for him. 3-4 cups a day.
Although these lower blood pressure by a few points each (don't expect miracles), it's been shown than even the slightest reduction in blood pressure is beneficial for cardiovascular health.
To help him eat less try to "bulk" his usual foods with vegetables. He likes rice? Serve him pilaf with a lot of vegetables. This cuts on the amount of rice without cutting on the volume. If he likes fried things, try and see if he would accept them roasted or sauteed.. and so on. For high calorie foods, try to serve a a homemade salt-controlled (or reduced sodium canned) soup first, then some vegetables or a salad, then his main high calorie preference meal. With a multi-course meal by the time he gets to the "junk" he will probably be full and would eat less.
As for exercise, try to make it seem like you need his help more than he does yours. Keep complaining how you want to start exercising but get bored doing it alone and need support. Don't push it though or repeat it too much. Go out on a few walks alone, then gradually start asking him to join you.0 -
Staying away from pre-packaged foods and not adding additional salt at the dinner table are big keys. Personally, I've not found a good salt substitute and since I don't have too much of an issue with my food being a bit on the bland side, black pepper is my go-to spice, but your father might take a liking to something out of the Mrs. Dash line of seasonings.
Pasta is low sodium, rice is low sodium (as long as it's not the meal in a pouch or flavored variety-those can be loaded with sodium), lean chicken breasts are fairly low. Fresh or steamed vegetables are generally low/no sodium. Oatmeal is low/no sodium.
As with most foods, you'll have to watch the labels carefully and shop around. Compare different brands. Take lean chicken, for example. If you buy fully cooked chicken breasts, I've seen some chicken that was less than 100mg of sodium per serving. I've seen others that were over 600mgs per 4 oz serving. It depends on the manufacturer and the brine they use.
Fish oil pills also help lower blood pressure.0 -
The usual recommendation is to get on a very low salt diet (be careful when it comes to prepackaged food, sauces etc), low fat (especially animal fat), lose weight and add at least some mild exercise. But, he needs to be checked by a dr, figure out if there is indeed a problem (stress alone can cause the numbers you describe, without any other factors) and if there is a problem, if he needs meds. And do not try takign over responsibility for his health. Unless he wants things to change, it si not happening.0
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Don't use olive oil for frying. It loses its properties at high heat. Use a different oil.Lissa_Kaye wrote: »When my mom was on a restricted diet we found her brommel and brown yogurt spread. It is expeller pressed with no cholesterol and was doctor approved. Its a butter margerine substitute. No hydrogenated oils. It is great on dishes you would use butter in, but it does not work well for panfrying or sauteeing, stuff will still stick to the pan.
Hopefully they have it here, since my dad uses a lot of butter on his toast, too. I started making him a sandwich with sugar free jam instead haha. I'm also planning to start lessening the fried stuff or using olive oil if we do, is that ok?
The sugar free stuff might not be as good for him as the butter is. Try not to go by your own instinct on this. See if he can get his doctor to send him to a dietician and then you go with him.
Fat is good according to what the gov and science is telling us now. But fried foods tend to have more calories.
If you feel that he is eating too much rice and toast, then design meals without them.
For example, cook chill and beans with two veggie dishes on the side (baked butternut squash and sautéed broccoli with garlic.)
Cook some salmon because it has Omega 3s. Pair it with lots of colorful veggies.
thank you for that! I thought olive oil was good since my dad kept insisting it was (that and what articles say). As for the sugar free marmalade, it's more on because he's borderline diabetic. Is butter okay for those kinds of people? Am gonna try persuading him to see a doc and dietician so well know better :-)
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I have high blood pressure and have been on medication for it for years. I avoid pre packaged foods such as ready meals, don't add salt to my cooking or at the table, have reduced my caffeine intake (but not cut it out completely) and I don't eat many processed meats such as bacon or ham.
There are some foods that are supposed to be beneficial to lower blood pressure such as beetroot which would be worth a try. I love it raw in salads or in smoothies.
Thank you! Less canned goods and salt then! :-)0 -
amusedmonkey wrote: »I have hypertension, and nothing helped lower it more than weight loss and exercise. Some types are sodium reactive (need eat less salt, cured meats and canned foods), others are fructose reactive (need to eat less fruits) - though this one is still in the early stages of research, some have problems with both, and others have no problems with either.
Does your father love garlic? Try introducing a clove or two of raw garlic with every meal. Slice or crush it, leave it out for 5 or so minutes (to increase the blood vessel relaxing component) then add it to foods. My favorite way to take it is to have tzatziki, which is really tasty. This may also produce mild reduction in his LDL cholesterol as a bonus.
Does he like tea? A few cups of hibiscus tea can be really good for him. 3-4 cups a day.
Although these lower blood pressure by a few points each (don't expect miracles), it's been shown than even the slightest reduction in blood pressure is beneficial for cardiovascular health.
To help him eat less try to "bulk" his usual foods with vegetables. He likes rice? Serve him pilaf with a lot of vegetables. This cuts on the amount of rice without cutting on the volume. If he likes fried things, try and see if he would accept them roasted or sauteed.. and so on. For high calorie foods, try to serve a a homemade salt-controlled (or reduced sodium canned) soup first, then some vegetables or a salad, then his main high calorie preference meal. With a multi-course meal by the time he gets to the "junk" he will probably be full and would eat less.
As for exercise, try to make it seem like you need his help more than he does yours. Keep complaining how you want to start exercising but get bored doing it alone and need support. Don't push it though or repeat it too much. Go out on a few walks alone, then gradually start asking him to join you.
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amusedmonkey wrote: »I have hypertension, and nothing helped lower it more than weight loss and exercise. Some types are sodium reactive (need eat less salt, cured meats and canned foods), others are fructose reactive (need to eat less fruits) - though this one is still in the early stages of research, some have problems with both, and others have no problems with either.
Does your father love garlic? Try introducing a clove or two of raw garlic with every meal. Slice or crush it, leave it out for 5 or so minutes (to increase the blood vessel relaxing component) then add it to foods. My favorite way to take it is to have tzatziki, which is really tasty. This may also produce mild reduction in his LDL cholesterol as a bonus.
Does he like tea? A few cups of hibiscus tea can be really good for him. 3-4 cups a day.
Although these lower blood pressure by a few points each (don't expect miracles), it's been shown than even the slightest reduction in blood pressure is beneficial for cardiovascular health.
To help him eat less try to "bulk" his usual foods with vegetables. He likes rice? Serve him pilaf with a lot of vegetables. This cuts on the amount of rice without cutting on the volume. If he likes fried things, try and see if he would accept them roasted or sauteed.. and so on. For high calorie foods, try to serve a a homemade salt-controlled (or reduced sodium canned) soup first, then some vegetables or a salad, then his main high calorie preference meal. With a multi-course meal by the time he gets to the "junk" he will probably be full and would eat less.
As for exercise, try to make it seem like you need his help more than he does yours. Keep complaining how you want to start exercising but get bored doing it alone and need support. Don't push it though or repeat it too much. Go out on a few walks alone, then gradually start asking him to join you.
Super informative thank you so much! :-)0 -
BruceHedtke wrote: »Staying away from pre-packaged foods and not adding additional salt at the dinner table are big keys. Personally, I've not found a good salt substitute and since I don't have too much of an issue with my food being a bit on the bland side, black pepper is my go-to spice, but your father might take a liking to something out of the Mrs. Dash line of seasonings.
Pasta is low sodium, rice is low sodium (as long as it's not the meal in a pouch or flavored variety-those can be loaded with sodium), lean chicken breasts are fairly low. Fresh or steamed vegetables are generally low/no sodium. Oatmeal is low/no sodium.
As with most foods, you'll have to watch the labels carefully and shop around. Compare different brands. Take lean chicken, for example. If you buy fully cooked chicken breasts, I've seen some chicken that was less than 100mg of sodium per serving. I've seen others that were over 600mgs per 4 oz serving. It depends on the manufacturer and the brine they use.
Fish oil pills also help lower blood pressure.
I'll be staying away from pork and more on chicken, will it help? Awesome, we've got Mrs Dash and fish oil pills here! Thank you! :-)0 -
Don't use olive oil for frying. It loses its properties at high heat. Use a different oil.Lissa_Kaye wrote: »When my mom was on a restricted diet we found her brommel and brown yogurt spread. It is expeller pressed with no cholesterol and was doctor approved. Its a butter margerine substitute. No hydrogenated oils. It is great on dishes you would use butter in, but it does not work well for panfrying or sauteeing, stuff will still stick to the pan.
Hopefully they have it here, since my dad uses a lot of butter on his toast, too. I started making him a sandwich with sugar free jam instead haha. I'm also planning to start lessening the fried stuff or using olive oil if we do, is that ok?
The sugar free stuff might not be as good for him as the butter is. Try not to go by your own instinct on this. See if he can get his doctor to send him to a dietician and then you go with him.
Fat is good according to what the gov and science is telling us now. But fried foods tend to have more calories.
If you feel that he is eating too much rice and toast, then design meals without them.
For example, cook chill and beans with two veggie dishes on the side (baked butternut squash and sautéed broccoli with garlic.)
Cook some salmon because it has Omega 3s. Pair it with lots of colorful veggies.
thank you for that! I thought olive oil was good since my dad kept insisting it was (that and what articles say). As for the sugar free marmalade, it's more on because he's borderline diabetic. Is butter okay for those kinds of people? Am gonna try persuading him to see a doc and dietician so well know better :-)
Butter is probably o.k. -- but I am no expert.
Pork chops are almost the same calories as chicken breast.
If you can cut his carbs and sugars a little here and there that would be great.
When he starts losing weight he will feel better and will be more helpful about your "project."
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I think the general trend here is spot on... Lowering sodium and losing some weight will definitely help. If he's borderline diabetic, the weight loss is key. The dash diet was designed specifically to lower weight and blood pressure (I have no affiliation with it, my MD mentioned it to me when my bp was high..) If you Google it, you might find some good meal ideas....0
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The usual recommendation is to get on a very low salt diet (be careful when it comes to prepackaged food, sauces etc), low fat (especially animal fat), lose weight and add at least some mild exercise. But, he needs to be checked by a dr, figure out if there is indeed a problem (stress alone can cause the numbers you describe, without any other factors) and if there is a problem, if he needs meds. And do not try takign over responsibility for his health. Unless he wants things to change, it si not happening.
Thank you! I'm not trying to take responsibility, I'm just trying to help him start, as he already said he did the other day (then quickly changed his mind after i told him to lessen the Lay's haha)0 -
Don't use olive oil for frying. It loses its properties at high heat. Use a different oil.Lissa_Kaye wrote: »When my mom was on a restricted diet we found her brommel and brown yogurt spread. It is expeller pressed with no cholesterol and was doctor approved. Its a butter margerine substitute. No hydrogenated oils. It is great on dishes you would use butter in, but it does not work well for panfrying or sauteeing, stuff will still stick to the pan.
Hopefully they have it here, since my dad uses a lot of butter on his toast, too. I started making him a sandwich with sugar free jam instead haha. I'm also planning to start lessening the fried stuff or using olive oil if we do, is that ok?
The sugar free stuff might not be as good for him as the butter is. Try not to go by your own instinct on this. See if he can get his doctor to send him to a dietician and then you go with him.
Fat is good according to what the gov and science is telling us now. But fried foods tend to have more calories.
If you feel that he is eating too much rice and toast, then design meals without them.
For example, cook chill and beans with two veggie dishes on the side (baked butternut squash and sautéed broccoli with garlic.)
Cook some salmon because it has Omega 3s. Pair it with lots of colorful veggies.
thank you for that! I thought olive oil was good since my dad kept insisting it was (that and what articles say). As for the sugar free marmalade, it's more on because he's borderline diabetic. Is butter okay for those kinds of people? Am gonna try persuading him to see a doc and dietician so well know better :-)
Butter is probably o.k. -- but I am no expert.
Pork chops are almost the same calories as chicken breast.
If you can cut his carbs and sugars a little here and there that would be great.
When he starts losing weight he will feel better and will be more helpful about your "project."
Haha i guess it can be called a project/experiment? But health wise, is it fine to have pork, or is chicken/fish better?0 -
I think the general trend here is spot on... Lowering sodium and losing some weight will definitely help. If he's borderline diabetic, the weight loss is key. The dash diet was designed specifically to lower weight and blood pressure (I have no affiliation with it, my MD mentioned it to me when my bp was high..) If you Google it, you might find some good meal ideas....
Thanks, will check that DASH diet out now! :-)0 -
amusedmonkey wrote: »I have hypertension, and nothing helped lower it more than weight loss and exercise. Some types are sodium reactive (need eat less salt, cured meats and canned foods), others are fructose reactive (need to eat less fruits) - though this one is still in the early stages of research, some have problems with both, and others have no problems with either.
Does your father love garlic? Try introducing a clove or two of raw garlic with every meal. Slice or crush it, leave it out for 5 or so minutes (to increase the blood vessel relaxing component) then add it to foods. My favorite way to take it is to have tzatziki, which is really tasty. This may also produce mild reduction in his LDL cholesterol as a bonus.
Does he like tea? A few cups of hibiscus tea can be really good for him. 3-4 cups a day.
Although these lower blood pressure by a few points each (don't expect miracles), it's been shown than even the slightest reduction in blood pressure is beneficial for cardiovascular health.
To help him eat less try to "bulk" his usual foods with vegetables. He likes rice? Serve him pilaf with a lot of vegetables. This cuts on the amount of rice without cutting on the volume. If he likes fried things, try and see if he would accept them roasted or sauteed.. and so on. For high calorie foods, try to serve a a homemade salt-controlled (or reduced sodium canned) soup first, then some vegetables or a salad, then his main high calorie preference meal. With a multi-course meal by the time he gets to the "junk" he will probably be full and would eat less.
As for exercise, try to make it seem like you need his help more than he does yours. Keep complaining how you want to start exercising but get bored doing it alone and need support. Don't push it though or repeat it too much. Go out on a few walks alone, then gradually start asking him to join you.
Super informative thank you so much! :-)
This close to what I was going to say too; but amused said it better
I've had hypertension for several years and the main thing that really helped, at it took most of a year, was a lot of weight loss and exercise (cardio).
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I think the general trend here is spot on... Lowering sodium and losing some weight will definitely help. If he's borderline diabetic, the weight loss is key. The dash diet was designed specifically to lower weight and blood pressure (I have no affiliation with it, my MD mentioned it to me when my bp was high..) If you Google it, you might find some good meal ideas....
Thanks, will check that DASH diet out now! :-)
Don't get tricked into buying books. The diet guide is free. You can find it here:
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/files/docs/public/heart/hbp_low.pdf
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/files/docs/public/heart/dash_brief.pdf
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/files/docs/public/heart/new_dash.pdf0 -
I have hypertension, mine would go up as high as 220/105. I was on 3 bp meds now I am down two. Main thing for me was/is keep my sodium under 2000 and loose weight/exercise. Hopefully by this summer i will be off all bp meds, doc is hoping also.0
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He did go to the dr and is on some medication right now. Right!?!0
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amusedmonkey wrote: »I think the general trend here is spot on... Lowering sodium and losing some weight will definitely help. If he's borderline diabetic, the weight loss is key. The dash diet was designed specifically to lower weight and blood pressure (I have no affiliation with it, my MD mentioned it to me when my bp was high..) If you Google it, you might find some good meal ideas....
Thanks, will check that DASH diet out now! :-)
Don't get tricked into buying books. The diet guide is free. You can find it here:
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/files/docs/public/heart/hbp_low.pdf
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/files/docs/public/heart/dash_brief.pdf
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/files/docs/public/heart/new_dash.pdf
+1 DASH for lowering blood pressure. Lower sodium by using spices in home cooked food instead of salt. Frozen veggies instead of canned, dried beans instead of canned, etc. Basically, if it comes in a can, it probably has a lot of sodium. Cutting alcohol and caffeine also help improve blood pressure.
The best thing he can do to lower his blood pressure is to lower his weight and become more active. In addition to cooking more whole grains, fruits, veggies, nuts, and lean proteins, you may want to consider an active family sport or activity, like walking after dinner, or Wii.
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amusedmonkey wrote: »I think the general trend here is spot on... Lowering sodium and losing some weight will definitely help. If he's borderline diabetic, the weight loss is key. The dash diet was designed specifically to lower weight and blood pressure (I have no affiliation with it, my MD mentioned it to me when my bp was high..) If you Google it, you might find some good meal ideas....
Thanks, will check that DASH diet out now! :-)
Don't get tricked into buying books. The diet guide is free. You can find it here:
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/files/docs/public/heart/hbp_low.pdf
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/files/docs/public/heart/dash_brief.pdf
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/files/docs/public/heart/new_dash.pdf
Thank you! :-)0 -
I have hypertension, mine would go up as high as 220/105. I was on 3 bp meds now I am down two. Main thing for me was/is keep my sodium under 2000 and loose weight/exercise. Hopefully by this summer i will be off all bp meds, doc is hoping also.
Wow. I really hope you wont need to take meds anymore! Sodium intake really is something to lessen then. Thanm you!
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