One of the most common health issues people face today is high blood pressure. It affects the young and old and is one of the leading factors of death across the globe. Fortunately, high blood pressure is, in reality, relatively easy to address. The most common cause of high blood pressure is the intake of processed foods. This also means that you can prevent high blood pressure simply by being careful with what you eat.
Are you interested in controlling your blood pressure? If so, then here are the food items you must be eating!
1. Fruits
Fruits are one of the best things you can eat in terms of picking a healthy source of vitamins, minerals, and other essential nutrients. Plus, they are tasty, so there is no reason you should not be eating them.
That said, you do not have to only eat fresh fruits. While fresh fruits are great, canned and frozen fruits are just as healthy and count towards your daily nutritional needs. Just be wary because some canned varieties may have added sugars and salts. For that reason, look at the nutrition information panel to know what they contain.
2. Vegetables
Vegetables are linked to lowering the risk of having high blood pressure. People who eat plenty of vegetables, along with fruits, have much lower blood pressure levels than those who don’t.
With that in mind, do not be afraid to try out all sorts of vegetables. From broccoli to spinach, vegetables come in various shapes and sizes, and they all taste great. You can stick to a handful of varieties, but the more options you eat, the wider array of nutrition you gain access to. Plus, eating something different every now and then helps keep things exciting.
3. Wholegrains
Some food products, like bread, may have had a bad reputation for increasing the risk of high blood pressure. However, regular consumption of wholegrain variants has been observed to do the opposite.
If you have avoided whole grain food items in fear of increasing your blood pressure, do not be worried. Wholegrain options are much healthier, and there are plenty to pick from, such as wholegrain rice and pasta. Just note that you will need to keep an eye on the portion size. Only eat up to a cup of cooked wholegrain every day, and fill the rest of your stomach with fruits and vegetables.
4. Nuts and Seeds
Tasty and healthy, nuts and seeds are an excellent food choice, especially when fulfilling your snacking cravings. You can also eat them along with your main meals, but if you have the urge to snack on anything, consider nuts and seeds instead. They are packed with vitamins, minerals, healthy fats, and proteins, and all of these are beneficial to your health.
Conclusion
If you think that eating healthy is not a tasty thing to do, you would be surprised. There are many dishes out there that feature healthy ingredients and are packed with wonderful flavors to enjoy.
With that in mind, take the time to discover healthy recipes to try out. You can start slowly at first, slowly incorporating nutritious food into your diet. Once you get the hang of it, you will soon come up with various healthy recipes that will ensure a happy stomach and a healthy body.
Garden State Medical Group is a medical practice that offers various services to preserve your overall health, including heart-smart programs and chronic care management. If you are looking for a general doctor in New Jersey to help address your high blood pressure problems, schedule a visit to us today!