|  | Conditions Treatments | Medical Conditions

Diet for Pregnancy Induced HTN

Pregnancy-induced hypertension (high blood pressure) can be treated with a high-protein diet. If not treated, high blood pressure can cause serious complications during pregnancy like brain damage, preterm labor or even death to mother, baby or both. Rest, a well-balanced diet and restriction of salt and fats can help to reduce blood pressure. Low-dose aspirin may also help to reduce blood pressure. Do not take any medications without first checking with your doctor.

  1. Diet

    • A well-balanced diet that is high in protein is most beneficial to pregnant women with hypertension. Adding more calcium to diets of high-risk patients (first-time mothers, teens, obese women, those with diabetes and those with a family history) may also help to reduce risk of hypertension or at least help to keep blood pressure within an acceptable range. Increasing your consumption of fish or adding cod liver oil into your diet will give your body essential omega 3 fatty acids needed to maintain a level blood pressure.

    Other Nutrients Needed

    • Other vitamins and minerals contain needed nutrients to help keep blood pressure under control. Magnesium, potassium and zinc are minerals that pregnant women with hypertension tend to be deficient in. Antioxidants are also essential to keeping blood pressure normal.

    The DASH Diet

    • The DASH diet is a diet that can help to reduce high blood pressure and is recommended by the American Heart Association and the National Health Care Institute. This diet is rich in antioxidants which are received from consuming plenty of fruits and vegetables, about four or five servings of each daily. The DASH diet includes consumption of complex carbohydrates and low-fat dairy products to aide in lowering maintaining a healthy blood pressure during pregnancy. A woman should have about seven or eight servings daily of carbohydrates and two or three servings of low-fat dairy daily. Two or less servings of meat or poultry are required daily for protein and magnesium. Nuts, seeds, and beans should be consumed four to five times per week to maintain healthy levels of magnesium, potassium, fiber, and protein. This diet is not only lower in fat, but also lower in cholesterol and sodium. The DASH diet has a higher content of magnesium, potassium and calcium.

    Other Precautions

    • Lowering stress and getting regular prenatal check-ups are the best ways to detect high blood pressure. It is better if caught and treated as soon as possible, before it can cause any further complications to the mother or the baby.

Medical Conditions - Related Articles