The Dietitian Lists the 4 Worst Meats for Blood Pressure

If you already have high blood pressure, stay away from these meats as they will only exacerbate the condition.Throughout the course of the day, blood pressure will inevitably increase and fall. It could harm your heart and lead to other health issues if it stays high for an extended period of time. You run the danger of developing heart disease and stroke, two of the top killers in the US, for instance, if you have extremely high blood pressure. It's critical to keep your blood pressure within a reasonable level if you wish to prevent these hazards.

In addition to medicine, there are other methods to lower blood pressure, such as increasing exercise and altering your diet by limiting your intake of alcohol and sugary foods. Let's start with the meat portion if you have no idea where to start. The worst meats you should stay away from to lower your blood pressure were the subject of our conversation with Lisa R. Young, PhD, RDN, author of Finally Full, Finally Slim and The Portion Teller Plan.

1 Deli meats

Deli meats are a staple item in many homes and are simple to get at your neighborhood delicatessen or the deli counter of your supermarket store. They can be used to quickly, simply, and delectably create sandwiches. Convenience, though, isn't necessarily better.

Dr. Young claims that deli meats are heavily processed, rich in salt, and frequently include the preservative sodium nitrate. "Heart disease and nitrates have been connected. Hypertension and excessive sodium (salt) are related."

According to data from the Mayo Clinic Proceedings, people who drank more nitrates than average were at a higher risk for serious cardiovascular issues. Furthermore, numerous research revealed in another article in the Nutrients Journal that eating a lot of sodium carries a high risk of developing hypertension (also known as high blood pressure).

2 Bacon

One strip of bacon, a highly popular breakfast meat, could cause your blood pressure to soar.

Bacon contains a lot of sodium and nitrates, both of which can raise blood pressure, according to Dr. Young.

There are around 115 mg of sodium in one strip of bacon. The American Heart Association advises people with high blood pressure to limit their daily sodium intake to 1,500 mg. Even though it is only slightly more than 7% of the advised quantity, it adds up quickly. And it becomes two, three, or four bacon strips instead of just one. The next time you eat a sandwich with bacon, lettuce, and tomatoes (BLT), stop and consider. Count how many slices you consume.

3 Fast food

Fast food restaurants typically have a bad reputation due to the harmful cuisine they sell. You still need to be on the lookout for some menu items, despite the fact that they have gotten better at marketing healthier meal options. especially if you are keeping an eye on your blood pressure.

Dr. Young specifically advises avoiding fried chicken sandwiches and cheeseburgers.

Dr. Young claims that these are "heavy of sodium, fat, and calories, all of which can lead to high blood pressure."

4 Hot dogs

These traditional barbecue dishes appear to be ready to be taken off the grill.

According to Dr. Young, hot dogs include a lot of processed meat and are high in sodium, both of which can raise blood pressure.

One hot dog has 424 milligrams of sodium, which is a lot for a little piece of meat and equals around 28% of the daily recommended intake if you have high blood pressure. Instead, stick to a hamburger instead of grilling as a cooked ground beef patty only has about 78 mg of salt.

However, it is advised to avoid these meats from your diet if you have high blood pressure or are at risk for developing it. Because despite their seeming diminutiveness, they have a bigger impact than you might imagine!