Most doctors recommend you avoid salty foods when you have high blood pressure. Experts say that people with high blood pressure should eat less than 1,500 milligrams of sodium per day. A teaspoon of table salt has 2,325 milligrams of sodium. It is best to avoid adding salt to food.

Get in the habit of reading food labels for the sodium content. Also, it’s a good idea to avoid processed foods that are high in sodium. These include:

  • deli meat
  • canned soup
  • frozen pizza
  • restaurant and fast food
  • store-bought processed foods

High amounts of sugar in the diet may raise your chances of having high blood pressure. Too much sugar causes weight gain which often raises blood pressure. Sugar may also raise blood pressure directly, but doctors aren’t sure.  Many doctors believe it is a good idea to eat less than 25 grams of sugar per day. Just cut out sugar-sweetened drinks and cut down on sweet baked goods. This will lower your sugar intake and can help you lose weight.

Eating too much salt and sugar is unwise. It can make your blood pressure rise!