Smoothy Slim
Photo by Nataliya Vaitkevich Pexels Logo Photo: Nataliya Vaitkevich

What foods cause high blood pressure?

11 Foods that Increase Blood Pressure Table Salt. If you are trying to follow a low-sodium diet, this seems like an obvious one, but it needs to be said. ... Certain Condiments and Sauces. ... Foods with Saturated and Trans Fat. ... Fried Food. ... Fast Food. ... Canned, Frozen, and Processed Foods. ... Deli Meats and Cured Meats. ... Salted Snacks. More items...

Is beetroot and carrot good for weight loss?
Is beetroot and carrot good for weight loss?

Loaded with vitamins and minerals, they not only are great for aiding weight management but also provide the required energy and nourishment to the...

Read More »
What is the success rate of laser?
What is the success rate of laser?

Though the success can vary from patient to patient, the vast majority of those who undergo LASIK surgery achieve excellent results. It's estimated...

Read More »
Tasty juice “eats through” 54lbs of thick flab
Tasty juice “eats through” 54lbs of thick flab

This effective juice jolts the metabolism, boosts energy and burns fat all day.

Learn More »

If you deal with high blood pressure, or hypertension, then you probably already know that a healthy diet is one of the most effective ways to manage it. It’s important to consume whole grains, vegetables, fruits, and lean protein. Additionally, you should avoid things high in sugar and sodium, which is one of the top dietary factors linked to high blood pressure. We understand that managing any chronic health condition can seem overwhelming and high blood sure is no different. To help know what to avoid, here’s a list of 11 foods that can increase blood pressure

1. Table Salt

If you are trying to follow a low-sodium diet, this seems like an obvious one, but it needs to be said. A lot of people reach for the salt shaker by habit when preparing meals and snacks, but it should be very limited or avoided altogether when dealing with high blood pressure. Find new spices and herbs to use to flavor dishes.

2. Certain Condiments and Sauces

When replacing table salt, do not fall into the trap of substituting certain condiments instead. Things like ketchup, soy sauce, salad dressing, barbecue sauce, and steak sauce all have a lot of sodium in them. Other places salt can be hidden is in pasta sauce and gravy. Familiarize yourself with different herbs and spices to add flavor to foods instead.

3. Foods with Saturated and Trans Fat

There are healthy fats you can have in your diet even with high blood pressure, but saturated and trans fats are not among them. Things fried in a lot of oils or meats that have a lot of fat are bad for both blood pressure and cholesterol. Reduce or eliminate red meat consumption. If you do eat red meat, make sure you read labels and choose the leanest cuts possible. If you consume a lot of dairy, switch to low-fat versions. And be careful of cheeses with high salt content.

4. Fried Food

Fried foods contain a lot of saturated fat and salt, both of which you should avoid when you have high blood pressure. Grilling, baking, and sautéing are all good alternatives to frying. Air-fryers have become popular and are a good option as long as you pay attention to the salt content of what you’re cooking in the first place. Any kind of breading or seasoning mixes should be low sodium.

5. Fast Food

Is Fibre good for anxiety?
Is Fibre good for anxiety?

Prebiotics and fermentable fiber are important contributors to mental health as they feed the probiotics in the human gut. Research has also shown...

Read More »
What melts belly fat fast?
What melts belly fat fast?

Aerobic exercise (cardio) is an effective way to improve your health and burn calories. Studies also show that it's one of the most effective forms...

Read More »
Traditional “juice” activates 24/7 fat-burning
Traditional “juice” activates 24/7 fat-burning

A potent powdered supplement blended right into water or your favored beverage to be appreciated as a scrumptious morning smoothy.

Learn More »

If you’re following any kind of nutritional guidelines, fast food is a bad idea all-around. A lot of the food served at fast-food restaurants is processed and frozen, then cooked by frying or cooking in high-fat oils. Additionally, they are often heavily salted. Because these are foods that increase blood pressure, they should be avoided.

6. Canned, Frozen, and Processed Foods

These foods can be convenient, however, many of them contain large amounts of added salt to preserve flavor through the canning, packaging, or freezing process. Canned soups are top offenders. If you find yourself craving soup, consider making your own with a low sodium recipe or look for low and reduced-sodium canned options. This includes packaged broths. Tomatoes and tomato-based sauces also have a lot of added salt when they come in a can or jar. Low sodium varieties are available or use fresh tomatoes. A common culprit for high sodium among frozen food is frozen pizza. Frozen pizzas with thick crusts and lots of toppings are especially high in sodium.

Frozen seafood and meats may also have added salt.

Prepared food from the deli or refrigerated section of your local grocery store can also have his salt content, so read labels. Bottom line is, if food is processed in some way, it usually involves adding some form of salt, which is no good for blood pressure.

7. Deli Meats and Cured Meats

Another food full of sodium is deli meat. Lunch meats are often preserved, cured or seasoned with salt, making them high in sodium. Cured meats like bacon are off-limits too.

8. Salted Snacks

Many crackers, chips, and even sweets like cookies, are not good options. Other things to look out for include jerky and nuts. Those might seem like healthier snacks because they are sources of protein and healthy fats (in certain nuts), but for those with high blood pressure, they can be bad news. Look for varieties with no or very little salt added. Another good option if you are craving a crunchy snack, is popping your own plain popcorn and adding (salt-free) spices to it yourself. You should also avoid pickled foods, which are often full of salt as a result of the pickling process. Most pickling processes use a lot of salt in the brine mixture to kill bacteria, and the sodium sticks around after the pickling is done.

Is the Chevelle coming back?
Is the Chevelle coming back?

Sadly, the Chevelle name has been gone for 45 years now. But, thanks to Trans Am Worldwide, the Chevelle is making a big return in 2024 as the...

Read More »
How can you tell if your body is toxic?
How can you tell if your body is toxic?

Some signs that your body has a toxin buildup include: Brain fog. Hair loss. Fatigue. Brittle toenails. Bad breath. Nausea. Weight gain.

Read More »
Strange purple cocktail removes 2.7lbs every 4 days
Strange purple cocktail removes 2.7lbs every 4 days

Contains a potent powdered supplement blended right into water or your favored beverage to be appreciated as a scrumptious morning smoothy.

Learn More »

9. Caffeine

Coffee, tea, energy drinks, and soda all contain caffeine, which is known to increase blood pressure. People with hypertension should limit their caffeine intake. If you are a coffee lover, try switching to half-caff coffee, or decaf if you can’t give it up completely. There are also caffeine-free teas available and certain varieties of tea have very low amounts of caffeine naturally.

10. Alcohol

Small amounts of alcohol have been found to lower blood pressure, but drinking too much can increase it. Having more than three drinks in a sitting can spike blood pressure and habitual drinking can cause lasting blood pressure issues. Alcohol also interacts badly with certain blood pressure medication.

11. Soda

Along with the caffeine mentioned above, sodas are full of processed sugar and empty calories. Drinks with high sugar content are linked to increased rates of obesity for people of all ages. And people who are overweight or obese are at greater risk of developing high blood pressure. Women should limit added sugar to 24 grams per day and men should only have 36 grams per day at most, as recommended by the American Heart Association.

Make an Appointment

At Durham Nephrology we have been caring for patients dealing with kidney disease and high blood pressure for over 25 years. If you have concerns about your diet and want to make sure you are avoiding foods that increase blood pressure, call 919-477-3005 to make an appointment at our Durham office or 919-690-1035 to make an appointment at our Oxford office. You can also request an appointment online.

What drinks hydrate you faster?
What drinks hydrate you faster?

The 7 Best Drinks for Dehydration Water. As you can imagine, water is one of the best drinks to fight dehydration. ... Electrolyte-Infused Water....

Read More »
Can you lose 5 pounds in a week?
Can you lose 5 pounds in a week?

Losing 5 pounds in a week is doable, that doesn't mean you should do it. It's still safest to stick to the expert-recommended pace of one to two...

Read More »
Fizzy juice “chews through” 63lbs of fat
Fizzy juice “chews through” 63lbs of fat

This effective juice jolts the metabolism, boosts energy and burns fat all day.

Learn More »
Are bananas good during detox?
Are bananas good during detox?

Bananas. While bananas sometimes get a bad rap for being high in sugars, they have plenty of fiber, too. “They help promote healthy gut flora and...

Read More »
Strange purple cocktail removes 2.7lbs every 4 days
Strange purple cocktail removes 2.7lbs every 4 days

This effective juice jolts the metabolism, boosts energy and burns fat all day.

Learn More »
Why are my two front teeth yellow?
Why are my two front teeth yellow?

That yellow color might be dental plaque. Yellowing of teeth near the gum line might also be an early sign that you are at risk for tooth decay,...

Read More »