Worst Foods for High Blood Pressure
The shrimp fried rice at your favorite spot might be amazing, but it’s likely full of sodium. Most of the sodium in U.S. diets comes from restaurant and packaged foods.
Restaurant Food
They’re fast and convenient. But they’re also loaded with sodium, so it’s best to avoid them.
Frozen Meals
Most chips, crackers, and popcorn are high in sodium. For instance, a 1-ounce serving of plain potato chips has about 50-200 milligrams.
Salty Snacks
Kimchi, sauerkraut, and other pickled or brined foods often pack plenty of sodium. Three ounces of pickle juice has about 900 milligrams, depending on the brand.
Pickled Foods
It doesn’t taste salty, but it’s got plenty of it. One slice of white bread has between 80 and 230 milligrams.
Bread
It’s delicious on a cold day, but it’s often high in sodium. One cup (8 ounces) of tomato soup can have anywhere from 700 to 1,260 milligrams.
Soup
Three-quarters of a cup of canned tomato juice packs 660 milligrams of sodium. Look for low-sodium versions.
Tomato Juice
That’s about six thin slices. Other processed meats also high in sodium include hot dogs, corned beef, bacon, and sausage.
Processed Meat
It’s likely high in sodium. A 4-ounce slice of frozen cheese pizza has 370 to 730 milligrams. And a 4-ounce slice from a restaurant has even more, at 510-760 milligrams.
Pizza
Your chances of high blood pressure go up when you drink too much alcohol. Men should stick with no more than two drinks a day. Women should keep it at one.
Beer, Wine, and Alcohol
Some types are more likely to raise your blood pressure than others. Keep it down with cheeses that are naturally low in sodium, like Swiss, which has 75 milligrams per 1-ounce serving.
Cheese
Ketchup, soy sauce, and salad dressings are all high in sodium. Shop for low-sodium substitutes.
Condiments