It is estimated that 30 percent of people in America have high blood pressure. Fortunately, dietary changes can help lower blood pressure. People who are not getting enough fruits and vegetables often have low potassium levels and high sodium levels. This imbalance of sodium and potassium can contribute to high blood pressure. Below is a list of foods you may want to avoid if you have high blood pressure:
Pickles
Pickles are low in calories and high in vitamin K. However, they are high in sodium. In fact, one medium-sized pickle contains about 570 mg of sodium. This is about 30 percent of the recommended daily intake of sodium. Therefore, if you have high blood pressure, then you will need to limit your intake of pickles.
Sauerkraut
Sauerkraut is a great source of iron, vitamin K and vitamin C. It can also help strengthen your immune system. However, because of its high sodium content, you should limit your intake of sauerkraut. You can also select low sodium brands.
Bacon
Bacon is delicious, and it is filled with the B vitamins and vitamin D. Those nutrients are essential for a healthy body. Bacon is also high in sodium. Three slices of it contain 270 mg of sodium. If you love bacon, then you should opt for turkey bacon.
Donuts
Donuts are sweet, which is why many people love them. However, one donut can have over 12 grams of fat and 300 calories. Donuts are also fried, so you could be getting a lot of saturated fat and trans fat if you eat them regularly. Trans fat and saturated fat can increase the risk of heart disease.
Ramen Noodles
Ramen noodles are a popular food choice because they are inexpensive and easy to cook. However, most brands lack essential nutrients, and they flavor packets have large amounts of sodium. In fact, one serving of ramen noodles has over 1,731 grams of sodium.
Alcohol
Excessive alcohol intake can raise your blood pressure and damage your blood vessels. Men who are over the age of 65 and women should not consume more than one alcoholic beverage per day. Men who are under the age of 65 should not have more than two alcoholic beverages.
