How to tackle hypertension – Dietician

People suffering from hypertension have been advised to eat whole grains, legumes and nuts to lower their blood pressure.
Janet Anthony, a dietician with a private hospital in Abuja, gave the advice while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria on Wednesday.
Anthony explained that whole grains had more fibre and nutrients than refined grains for lifestyle intervention.
She said lifestyle intervention should be the first line of treatment for hypertension.
She said: “You can control your blood pressure by reaching and maintaining a healthy weight and focus on whole grains because they have more fibre and nutrients than refined grains.
“For instance, use brown rice instead of white rice, whole-wheat pasta instead of regular pasta and whole-grain bread instead of white bread.
“Look for products labelled 100 per cent whole grain or 100 per cent whole wheat. Grains are naturally low in fat, so avoid spreading on butter or adding cream and cheese sauces.”
Besides, Anthony recommended an inclusion of lean poultry, fish and low-fat or fat-free dairy products.
Anthony said: “Increase your vegetable intake (four to five servings a day) tomatoes, carrots, cucumber, sweet potatoes, greens and other vegetables are full of fibre, vitamins, and such minerals as potassium and magnesium.
“Examples of one serving include one cup of raw leafy green vegetables or half cup of raw or cooked vegetables.
“Include fruits in your daily menu plan (four to five servings a day). Many fruits need little preparation to become a healthy part of a meal or snack.”
The dietician said examples of one serving include one medium fruit or half cup of fresh juice, limiting use of meat, butter, cheese, whole milk, cream and eggs in your diet.
She also said that people should avoid “trans fat”, commonly found in such processed foods as crackers, baked goods and fried items.
Anthony said that people should limit alcohol intake, engage weight shedding, regular physical activity, and reduce sodium to no more than 1,500 mg/day.
According to her, these lifestyle modifications are considered the best way to treat hypertension.
She said that since high blood pressure was a leading cause of heart disease, it was important to have one’s blood pressure checked regularly and to take steps to keep blood pressure within a healthy range.
She advised: “Visit a dietitian to help you manage your diet adequately.
“Physicians recommend that one maintains blood pressure at or below 120/80 mmHg, but high blood pressure is medically defined as any reading higher than 140/90 mmHg.”
NAN.