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Diet for Men With High Blood Pressure

Men are particularly at risk for high blood pressure. High blood pressure dangerously increases the chances of an arterial blockage as a result of a blood clot---a heart attack. High blood pressure can be present in the body for years before it is noticed. One way to combat this problem before it appears is through a healthy diet.

  1. Choose a Diet

    • Switch to a vegetarian diet. Though it is often stated that a limited amount of red meat intake will not harm you, for those who are serious about lowering their blood pressure there is no better diet. A vegetarian is someone who ingests nothing but plant-based foods. Along with red meat, there is absolutely no game, fish, crustacea, poultry, eggs, milk or milk products involved.

    What to Eat

    • Choose foods that correspond to what you're familiar with. Any major dietary change will involve may involve a potentially uncomfortable transition. After eating venison on a regular basis, the idea of eating tofu and brown rice may seem unappetizing. First, remember that your life is at stake. Second, many substitutions can be made that will make the transition to a plant based diet a smoother ride.

      Switch soy, almond or rice milk for regular milk. When frying food, avoid butter and instead use olive oil or a fat free cooking spray. Replace cheese with soy cheese and use potato-based egg replacement mix for regular eggs. Protein becomes more of a concern as meat, especially red meat, is the most efficient protein source. In vegetables, broccoli, eggplant and spinach are sound alternatives. Legumes in the form of lentils, kidney and garbanzo beans also are good protein sources. Nuts such as pumpkin seeds and walnuts are high protein snack foods and soy-based products, in particular, are good sources of protein all around.

    Supplements of Note

    • Take supplements regularly to compensate for vitamins found only or largely in meat products. If you're on a vegetarian diet, vitamin B12 is critical to your body's maintenance. Responsible for red blood cell production and the prevention of anemia, vitamin B12 is found almost exclusively in animal products. Also, to a lesser extent iron and zinc are of concern, but these minerals can be covered largely through diet. To make sure, take your vitamins daily.

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