Jewish Recipes --> Food and Health -- > High Blood Pressure

May 4, 1975, My father died of a Heart Attack at the young age of 45
He had High Blood Pressure.

The following information was taken from:

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Public Health Service
National Institutes of Health
October 1995

Always Consult your Doctor
We were not created to eat - We eat to live and do mitzvahs

Eat Right to Help Lower Your High Blood Pressure

• National Institutes of Health
• National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute
• National High Blood Pressure Education Program
• NHLBI Obesity Education Initiative

Recipes: Try these Recipes

"My doctor told me I have high blood pressure."

"What is high blood pressure?"

"It means that my heart has to pump harder than it should to get blood to all the parts of my body. This raises my chances for a stroke, and heart and kidney problems."

"Does that mean you could have a stroke, heart attack or kidney failure?"

"Yes. But if I lower my pressure, I will lower my chances. You should ask about your blood pressure too."

"That is a good idea. I will go and get my pressure checked."

"If it is high, can you really lower it?"

"Yes. That is the good news. The doctor told me to:

• lose weight, since I weigh too much.
• be more active.
• eat fewer foods high in salt and sodium.
• cut back on alcohol.

The doctor told me what foods to eat and gave me a booklet.
This will remind me what to do - to eat some foods more often and others less often."
"I feel better knowing that you can lower your blood pressure."

"First I need to lose weight. Here is what I need to do:

• eat less fat and calories. This is a good first step.
• cut back on foods high in sugar like soda and candy.
• eat smaller amounts of foods at meals.
• eat fewer snacks during the day.

My blood pressure will probably go down when I lose weight."

"Next, I need to be more active. Being more active also will help me to lose weight and help my blood pressure go down."

"These are things that would make me feel better too."
"For sure. Doing them with a friend will help me to do them. We can start today. How about taking a walk with me after dinner."

"I need to cut down on salt and salty foods. Eating less salt and sodium also can help my blood pressure go down."
"I know about salt. But what is sodium? I see it on labels all the time."

"Sodium is a part of salt. It also is a part of mixtures used to flavor and preserve foods."

"How can we fix good tasting foods with less salt and sodium?"

"Listen to these tips:

• Try to cook from 'scratch.' Start with foods low in salt and sodium.
• Use herbs, spices, and fruit juices to season food.
• Do not add salt to your food when cooking or at the table.
• Rinse canned foods like tuna and canned vegetables to remove salty juices."