6 worst snacks for hypertensive patients

Those with high blood pressure need to “know the enemy by sight” – about the most dangerous snacks for them.

If you're trying to lower your blood pressure, you've probably already made healthy changes to your diet recommended by your doctor. This is especially true for sodium intake. Nutritionist, chef and food blog owner Amber Pankonin warns: quotes Eat This Not That edition:

“Excessive sodium consumption has been shown to increase blood pressure in some people, so it is important to understand which foods are high in sodium and how this may affect blood pressure.”

Amber Pankonin reveals the six worst snacks for people with high blood pressure.

Sunflower seeds

Pankonin says, “This snack may be good for travel and baseball games, but it's terrible for your blood pressure. Depending on the brand, sunflower seeds can contain up to 1,000 mg of sodium or more per serving.”

Crackers, cheese and processed meats

Sodium is used in processed meats for preservation, salt is used to flavor cheese and prevent the development of bacteria, and crackers are rich in salt*. Look for low-sodium cheeses, such as Parmesan or Swiss, and low-sodium crackers, and avoid dried and smoked meats.

Chips, queso and cream cheese

Processed cheese products contain 390 mg of sodium per serving. When it comes to queso** or other sauces, it's hard to judge serving size, so it's easy to go overboard.

Salted cucumbers

Pankonin explains, “Although pickles are low in calories and filling, they are very high in sodium—250 to 300 mg per 1-ounce serving.”

Canned soups and broths

Want to use canned broth as a snack on a cold day? Think again. If you use one cube to make broth, be aware that it can contain almost 1000 mg of sodium. There are lower sodium options, so be sure to read the label.

Donuts

Donuts can be quite high in sodium. Therefore, it is important for those with high blood pressure to understand that baking can be extremely harmful to them.

*Cracker (eng. cracker) – crispy cookies with a layered structure and an oily surface. Contains no more than 10% sugar, no less than 10% fat.

**Chile con queso is a dip made from melted cheese, chili peppers, tomatoes and various spices, common in Mexican and Tex-Mex cuisine, as well as in the United States. Often eaten with corn chips, the two together make a popular snack.

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