Popcorn, potato chips or pani-puri are some unavoidable items while freaking out with friends. Even if you pass by a fast food corner it seems too difficult to distract yourself from the catchy packets and lip smacking items. For that moment you just like to say “good bye” to all your health consciousness. Believe it or not but this is almost a common factor. And the moment you lose your control you are going to intake the extra sodium and invite an unwanted high blood pressure.
Our body requires only 500 mg sodium each day where maximum among us take in more than 4000 mg per day. A statistics says that one among four Americans has high b.p. where as just one third of them is conscious about it. And Indians are not lagging behind too.
So to stay fit and balanced here goes some easy steps that will not trouble you too much. Strictly say “no” to salty snacks and also to canned soups. If you feel it as bit difficult, then try for some foods which say ‘low sodium’ on the packets. They contain 140mg or less sodium. Take plenty of fresh fruits that you like so that your filled stomach doesn’t let you to go to the fast food corners.
You can also look for DASH [Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension] diet which is rich in fruits and vegetables to limit sodium and includes low-fat dairy products. Avoid frequent restaurant meals as they serve lots of items which are not actually salty but contain fair amount of hidden sodium. When you feel like adding some salt to taste just substitute it with lemon juice, garlic or onions.
These steps will also regularize your pressure if you have a high BP.