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Diets for Diabetes & BP Patients

High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a serious medical condition that can lead to strokes, heart failure, kidney failure and vision problems. One of the key steps in treating high blood pressure is switching to a healthy diet low in saturated fats and salt. Fortunately, these dietary changes fit in with recommended meal plans for diabetic patients.

  1. Fruit

    • Consume at least five servings, and ideally at least nine servings, of fruit per day. Don't be afraid to double up on fruits, especially in the morning, when melons, oranges and grapefruit are a common part of a low-fat, high-fiber breakfast . Perhaps no fruit is better for treating high blood pressure than grapes, whether black, red, or green, so have them for snacks.

    Vegetables

    • Eat one or two servings of vegetables at every meal. Raw vegetables are best, and steamed is better than boiled. Good choices include carrots, tomatoes and broccoli, and anything from the leafy green family, like spinach, chard, kale, collard greens and cabbage.

    Dairy

    • Stick to low-fat or no-fat dairy products, including low-fat cheese, low-fat yogurt and skim or one-percent milk.

    Whole Grains

    • Switch to whole grain breads and cereals. Make sandwiches with whole wheat or rye breads; prepare Italian specialties with whole wheat pasta. Bran cereals are good for breakfast, and popcorn is good for a snack.

    Protein

    • Serve only lean meats, from chicken without skin to tenderloins and flank steak. Boiled ham is also a good source of healthy protein, as are tofu and soy products, like veggie burgers. Have two or three servings of fish per week, but go easy on the nuts and peanut butter, especially if the nuts are salted.

      When preparing meat, be sure to bake, roast, boil or grill---never fry your foods. Fatty oils are not good for high blood pressure.

    Alcohol

    • Try to avoid alcohol, but if you must imbibe, limit your intake. Women should drink no more than one glass of alcohol per day, and men should drink no more than two.

    Salt

    • Salt is one of the leading causes of hypertension. Don't add salt to food while cooking or sitting down at the table. Experiment with herbs and spices, especially dill weed, cloves, and basil, until the food tastes similar to salted dishes. Also, try cooking with garlic, lemon, lime, or parsley to replace the salt.

      Avoid processed foods, particularly potato chips, pretzels, canned soup, and luncheon meats, all of which are high in sodium. Skip any foods with more than 400 milligrams of sodium in a single serving, and try not to exceed 1,500 milligrams in a single day.

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