high blood pressure

triticale

I've had high blood pressure for 8 years and I do add salt (proper salt) at the table. I don't use it in cooking, and I avoid processed foods with hidden salt.

Poached eggs and homemade chips just wouldn't be right without it. I expect I eat a lot less salt in total than most people, but I don't miss out on the shaker.

Salt is just one (albeit quite important) factor in lowering BP, exercise and generally looking after yourself are vital too.

I did hear once that celery is good for BP, however I hate the stuff. :rotfl:

p.s. My top tip for lowering BP is avoiding stress. Hard to get into the habit of, but works wonders for me!!

Also be aware that if you've just gone onto meds, it may take a while for them to find the right dosage/combination that works for you - took me ages!

boultdj

U also asked 4 veg recipes, 1 i'v got is tomato + veg soup, can use tinned toms or fresh[need skins off] chop toms + any veg you like plus 1 pint of water + pinch of mixed herbs cook till it gets as thick as you like to eat soup[ie u like thin soup cook 4 20 mins like it thick cook 4 1 hour] ps does well in a slow cooker so ready 4 when u get back in from work/day out.

bargainbetty

I was diagnosed with high BP in 2007, and found that using a very small amount of salt during cooking, but compensating with lots of herbs and spices and black pepper brought out the flavours more than salt.

I love roasted winter veg - just chunk up carrots, onions, squash, courgettes etc, toss in a very lit bit of olive oil and then roast off in the oven. Works mixed with couscous, over rice, with a jacket spud, and goes with just about any main protein.

Or, to use up limp veg, just lightly fry (soften really) all the bottom of the fridge veg bits, then cover with water/stock and simmer for a while. Either have it chunky, or blend it. Again, lots of black pepper, garlic, and herbs with make it lovely, or add spices and make it curried veg soup (works better blended on this one).

No salt unless you put it in - cooking for yourself makes that so much easier, and avoid pre-packaged food. It is usually loaded with salt and fat, both of which are lousy for high BP.

Good luck x

rsdiscos

Swartz do no salt seasoning mixes that are great to put in rice and allsorts!

BOGOF_Queen

My BP was a little on the high side - but not high enough to go on medication. Was told to cut down on my salt intake - so as well as not adding it to meals and at the table, I do not add it when making bread. Took a bit of getting used to, but have now got used to it without the salt. You certainly notice the difference when you eat out - went for a curry to celebrate DH's birthday last night and felt so thirsty afterwards due to the salt in it. Salt is added to so many processed foods that it is best to avoid eating them if possible - by cooking all your meals from scratch, you know exactly what is in them.

wannabeasupersaver

Hi everyone

Have just recently been told I have high blood pressure and I have just started (as in today) to look at my diet as a way of reducing this. Had to go out and spend extra money on fruits and veg to limit the salt in my food and increase the potassium. What Im looking for is any sort of OS meal advice for meals I could make with as little salt/processed stuff as possible. My problem is although I like to cook from scratch I dont always seeme to have the time/ or can be bothered after being at work all day. I also tend to keep to the same meals I know how to make which makes me not want to the the stuff. I guess I need variety in my meals to make me happy to stick with it. Any advice would be greatly appreciated thanks

zarazara

Firstly Well Done for taking control and doing something about the blood pressure.Has the Doc mentioned exercise? a few years ago this was mentioned to me in addition to the diet thing.Definately helped me, by exercise I mean walking gardening and housework in my case. Can you make soups and stews? plently ofhomemade veg soup,make a big pan full and freeze portions so theresalays something wholesome in the freezer. stewedfruit and fruit purees are good too. Stir "fry" in a little liquid instead of fat and I find herbs and spices are great for adding flavour. Oats are good,mix with sugar and sprinkle onto stewed apple or plums,bake in the oven,delicious servedwith custard made from low fat skimmed milk. Hope you get lots more ideas.

newlywed

Hi, I've just started this for OH. We are both trying to walk more. I bought lo salt stuff - and yet the only thing I add salt to is when I make my own bread.

If you don't add salt in cooking at all, use low salt stock cubes (kallo do some), it can make a difference that you don't really even notice.

The British Heart foundation suggests choosing one food a week and check all labels to find a lower salt version of it. So far I have compared all our usual cereals and listed in a table the sugar/fat/salt for a portion of each - so we now really KNOW what we are eating and which ones to eat less often.

Oats are very good for you - so salt-free breakfast. OH has that with some honey each morning.

I've yet to find a low salt sausage though - so any tips on that one for OH would be very welcome!

I make most sauces, fried onion, herbs/spices and some chopped tomato can make an easy, quick, salt free pasta sauce.

I also make all our own soups and try to either use home made chicken stock or low salt veg stock. I then freeze in individual portions for lunches.

We're cutting down on our bacon addiction too - but gradually.

- and I do work full time - some nights there's just me and OH, sometimes one step son, sometimes two, so I just have to get into the mindset that I have to cook each night.

If you do buy sauces etc, why not just pick one at a time and then work out which brand is lowest salt it will make a small difference each time you do it.

Pretani

wannabeasupersaver wrote: »

Hi everyone

Have just recently been told I have high blood pressure and I have just started (as in today) to look at my diet as a way of reducing this. Had to go out and spend extra money on fruits and veg to limit the salt in my food and increase the potassium. What Im looking for is any sort of OS meal advice for meals I could make with as little salt/processed stuff as possible. My problem is although I like to cook from scratch I dont always seeme to have the time/ or can be bothered after being at work all day. I also tend to keep to the same meals I know how to make which makes me not want to the the stuff. I guess I need variety in my meals to make me happy to stick with it. Any advice would be greatly appreciated thanks

sounds like you need a blood pressure tablet, as you're still hooked to the bad foods. Unless you change your diet, you'll be relying on tablets the rest of your life

squeaky

Hiya,

There will be quite a few tips that will help you in the "healthy eating" section of this collection:-

The Complete Cooking Collection

HTH