Pregnancy Diet for High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure during pregnancy can deprive your fetus of the oxygen and nutrients it needs to grow. If you have been diagnosed with high blood pressure during your pregnancy, you will need to pay strict attention to your diet to ensure that your developing baby does not suffer from malnourishment.

Protein

• Eat at least 80 g of protein daily to ensure that your fetus is receiving the building blocks necessary to grow into a healthy baby. Your protein should come from sources other than red meat if you are suffering from high blood pressure. Other good sources of protein are lean chicken, pork, lamb, fish, beans, eggs, cheese, milk and vegetable proteins, including soy. Some cereals are high in protein, as well as seeds, nuts and shellfish.

Fruits, Vegetables and Teas

• Replace sodas, coffee and black tea with raspberry leaf juice, dandelion teas, nettles and limeflower teas. Eating cucumbers can help you to lower your blood pressure, and they are high in antioxidants and vitamin C. Mix the juice of half a lemon with two tsp. cream of tarter and half a glass of water, and drink the concoction once a day for 3 days to help lower your blood pressure. If you need to, wait 2 days before resuming the regimen. Drink 4 oz. raw beet juice daily if your blood pressure becomes extremely high. This will help your body to balance its potassium and sodium ratio.

Bananas & Supplements

• Eat plenty of foods high in potassium. Bananas are an excellent and nutritious source of potassium and vitamin C, as are cooked potato skins, leafy vegetables, milk and cantaloupe. Take 100 mg B-6 daily, or add brewer's yeast to a banana or cantaloupe smoothie to help restore your body's potassium balance and lower your blood pressure.