13 Foods That Can Raise Your Blood Pressure, According to Dietitians

We've pointed this fact out to draw your attention to raising blood pressure. It is the sneaky culprit behind several chronic diseases. A robust, fast-paced, sedentary lifestyle and unhealthy eating habits contribute to erratic blood pressure levels. 

Let's not forget sleepless nights. I'm sure other underlying factors impact blood pressure, like age or some medical conditions, but food is something that can directly fluctuate your blood pressure. Caffeine beverages and, of course, alcohol further escalate your hypertension. Unmanaged hypertension can, later on, lead to stroke or heart attack. 

The good news is that your blood pressure can be controlled by eliminating certain foods. See which 13 foods dietitians recommend avoiding: bacon and deli, which means no more bread and pizza.

 

Snacks with salt

Did you know that we need about 500 grams of sodium every day? As strange as that may sound, we tend to eat the recommended amount, and super salty snacks are to blame. But how do they affect your blood pressure when you overeat salt? The body tends to hold on to some extra water to wash out all the salt. The added burden of the excess water puts stress on the heart and blood vessels, aggravating blood pressure levels. If you're feeling snacky, then pick a healthy, not-so-salty alternative. What are your preferred healthy snacks? Tell us in the comments.

 

Food in cans

Canning foods makes cooking meals very easy, but the health hazard is enormous. How can you expect food stored in tin cans to be healthy? Most of these cans have an inner lining of BPA, a harmful chemical responsible for raising blood pressure. Although most companies have made their cans BPA-free, they still add a massive amount of salt to enhance the flavor. For example, one can of soup contains 100 to 900 milligrams of salt, enough to raise your blood pressure dramatically.

 

Pizza

Yes, it's true. Pizza is your worst enemy regarding hypertension. This comfort food of the world has all the ingredients that lead to a rise in blood pressure. It's loaded with tonnes of salt, so much so that just one slice of pepperoni contains more than half of your daily-recommended salt needs. Now imagine downing a whole pizza. Also, you can't fool high blood pressure with a veggie pizza because it contains just as much salt. The high content of saturated fats is also another factor that raises blood pressure.

 

Foods high in sugar

If you thought salt was your worst enemy regarding blood pressure, think again. Sugar can do more damage than salt, not just sugary desserts. Sugar is available in basically every food you eat. High-sugar foods will lead to unintentional weight gain and spikes in blood pressure. To manage blood pressure better, steer clear of prepackaged meals. Processed desserts and even granola bars, the reason being they're packed with highly concentrated high fructose corn syrup.

 

Condiments and sauces.

Condiments and sauces for real. These seemingly harmless toppings for food, like ketchup, salad dressings, and soy sauce, could be one of the reasons for your high blood pressure. They usually slip under the radar, but the harm they're causing is long-lasting. This doesn't mean you'll have to give up condiments and sauces. Check the label carefully because many have unhealthy amounts of salt and sugar that could sneakily cause high blood pressure. Even if the dressing doesn't necessarily taste salty, it has salt.

 

Bread 

Who would have thought reading could cause a spike in blood pressure? Do you think bread contains sodium? Bread seems to appear in almost all of our meals; depending on the loaf, a single slice of bread contains over 200 milligrams of sodium. This is over 15% of the everyday recommended amount of sodium. If you've swapped regular white bread for brown or whole wheat, it still isn't doing you any good. Unless you're looking for low-sodium bread, it's best to cut it out. I wonder what you'll have for breakfast or lunch? Choose a meal containing veggies, and you're good to go.

 

Bacon 

Everything is fun and games until they come for your bacon. Crispy bacon is the go-to breakfast choice for most Americans. Breakfast without bacon is unimaginable, but it should be done if you're worried about high blood pressure. Bacon is packed with not only salt but also saturated and trans fats. These saturated fats do the job of raising harmful cholesterol levels. High concentrations of lousy cholesterol accumulate in the blood vessels, making them stiff and increasing blood pressure, among other heart problems.

 

Deli meats

We've all come across the negative effect of deli meats. If you love adding Bologna salami or other cold cuts to your sandwich, it's time for you to listen. Old cuts are riddled with an insane amount of sodium. Even meats that claim to be low-fat contain just as much. This staple food can be found anywhere; it's packed in plastic infused with artificial flavors, chemicals, and preservatives, and it's just plain wrong for you. Some alternatives include pork tenderloin, roasted chicken or turkey, or grilled chicken.

 

Frozen meal

Since the idea of frozen dinners was introduced, it's become the most convenient and stress-free choice for many. Popping a box of frozen dinners in the microwave seems the easiest way to prepare meals. But remember, anything that needs a microwave to cook should be avoided or eliminated from your lifestyle. Frozen dinners are super high in sodium, even if you buy them from low-calorie or healthy brands. If they cut down on calories by reducing fat content to enhance the taste, they douse these dinner meals with tonnes of sodium and artificial flavors.

 

Red meat

Who can say no to a juicy grilled steak? You must eat red meat regularly if you're looking for ways to manage your blood pressure. It may lead to numerous health issues, including a rise in blood pressure and heart disease, but don't dump your barbecue grilling setup just yet. You don't have to enjoy it every day. For example, if you eat red meat twice a day, then cut down on eating it just once a day, and you'll enjoy its health benefits. Cutting back on red meat is not only good for your physical health, but it is also good for the environment. Before we continue, are you thinking about cutting back on red meat? Look at these six things that happen to your body when you stop eating meat.

 

Tacos and burritos.

If it's impossible to say no to this delicious cheat meal, maybe it's time to say goodbye. If you're dealing with hypertension, avoiding is a strong word. You should limit yourself to eating these sodium-packed fast foods. Maybe once a week, they're filled with every unhealthy blood pressure-raising element, from the dough to the cheese and seasonings, and not to forget the salt. So much salt. It's always better to make your tacos at home to ensure you're not using artificial flavoring and to top them off with fresh ingredients.

 

Crackers 

You can never have just one cracker like other snacks like chips. Popcorn and pretzel crackers are also addictive and do more harm than good, especially those you find on the market packed with saturated and trans fats that lead to high blood pressure. Please don't fall for the ones that say low-sodium since they're still loaded with salt in every serving. The main culprit is the unhealthy fat that continues to wreak havoc. The internet is packed with healthy snacking options; you can look for one that suits your tastes and makes managing blood pressure a breeze.

 

Alcohol 

When it comes to alcohol, the harmful effects easily surpass the health benefits, which are next to nothing. Although drinking one glass of red wine strengthens heart function and builds immunity, overdoing it will lead to high blood pressure and reverse health benefits. Consuming over 13 alcoholic beverages in one week will raise your blood pressure substantially. Suppose you drink over three glasses of any alcoholic beverage during your weekend drinking sesh with your buddies. In that case, your blood pressure may rise temporarily, while continually doing this would lead to long-term health complications. We limit alcohol to manage blood pressure. This is not to say that controlling blood pressure is simple; you must keep a close eye on the foods you eat, the amount of exercise you get, and other lifestyle choices. Combining the right foods with an active lifestyle is also the easiest way to a healthier life. How do you manage your blood pressure? Let us know your ideas in the comments.

 

Conclusion

High blood pressure is the sneaky culprit behind several chronic diseases. Unmanaged hypertension can, later on, lead to stroke or heart attack. By getting rid of certain foods, your blood pressure can be managed. See which foods to exclude: bacon and deli, pizza, bread, and tin cans. If you're worried about high blood pressure, consider cutting out these foods that can cause spikes in blood pressure.

High concentrations of lousy cholesterol accumulate in the blood vessels, making them stiff and increasing blood pressure, among other heart problems. Also, steer clear of processed desserts and granola bars because they contain high fructose corn syrup. Frozen dinners are super high in sodium, even if you buy them from low-calorie or healthy brands. You must eat red meat regularly if you're looking for ways to manage your blood pressure. Cutting back on red meat is not only good for your physical health, but it is also good for the environment. Look at these six things that happen to your body when you stop eating meat.