Bad foods to Avoid on the High Blood pressure Diet

PART 1:

Here are the first five bad foods, we call time bombs, that you need to avoid if you want to lower your blood pressure, lose weight and regain your health:

1) Refined Sugar
Refined sugar is called: white sugar, brown sugar, high fructose corn syrup (HFCS), malt syrup, glucose and dextrose.The average American consumes an excessive 150 pounds of sugar a year. Refined sugar is found in so many products: doughnuts, cupcakes, cakes, pies, soft drinks, cookies, candy bars, cereals, salad dressings, yogurts, cured meats, ice cream, canned and packaged goods.

Sugar is a highly acidic food, it is the highest ranking food on the glycemic index. Sugar creates hormone havoc particularly with your insulin and blood sugar levels.

High Fructose Corn Syrup(HFCS)

The worst sugar is HFCS which is found in 75% of processed foods. Research shows that that it is classified as an 'Obesogen' which is a chemical ingredient in food that makes us become obese. HFCS increases our cravings, prevents us from feeling full and mess with our metabolism.

Here is an excellent video by Dr. Vincent Bellonzi entitled 'The High Fructose Corn Syrup Truth':

It is impossible to lose weight and be healthy unless you completely eliminate refined sugar from your diet, particularly HFCS, it is definitely number one on this list of bad foods.

2) White flour

White flour has been refined and processed to remove up to 80% of the vitamins, minerals and fiber. White flour is used most often in baking, breads, bagels, crackers, pastas etc.

White flour is very acidic in the body and is high on the glycemic index which means it converts to glucose quickly and plays havoc with your blood sugar. It is a simple carbohydrate with no nutritional value.

Healthy diets, including the high blood pressure diet, focus on removing all white flour from the diet and replacing it with nutritious alternatives such as the ancient whole grains spelt, kamut, qinoa.

In Canada, Presidents Choice has an excellent line of 'Ancient Grain products' which includes cereal, bread, crackers etc. Using Ezekiel bread is also a great alternative to white or whole wheat bread. See food substitutions for more ideas on healthy alternatives.

3)Refined vegetable oils
Avoid colorless, refined, overheated oils such as refined safflower, corn, soy or canola oils. Deep fried and processed foods using refined vegetable oils are really, really bad foods.

The rise in the commercial use of synthetic and refined fats coincides with the dramatic increase in high blood pressure, heart disease, cancer and stroke. These bad fats actually inhibit the body’s ability to use the heart healthy Essential Fatty Acids.

Use cold pressed oils such as olive, coconut, avocado, walnut, sesame, peanut and flax oils. Personally, I use olive oil and coconut oil for cooking and avocado, extra virgin olive oil and flax seed oil for salad dressings. Flax oil can also be added to yogurt and smoothies.

4)Margarine, crisco or shortening

No margarine products are safe despite their creative label claims. These products are made from oil which is then pumped full of hydrogen to make them solid at room temperature. They are synthetic and unnatural hydrogenated products which also contain dangerous trans fats.

If you want a heart healthy spread with margarine consistency then blend equal parts of flax oil with natural unsalted butter and keep in a container. Tastes yummy and is rich in Omega 3 Essential Fatty Acids (EFA's).

5)Processed or Cured meats

Meat can be good for you if it is free of chemicals, hormones, pesticides and preservatives. However, processed or cured meats are bad foods because they are also full chemical preservatives, such as, nitrates, BHT and BHA.

Dr Cass Ingrams notes that:…”nitrates combine in the stomach with proteins to form substances known as nitrosamines. Nitrosamines are proven carcinogens. In fact they are among the most potent carcinogens known.”

They also add sugar and other sweeteners, such as, dextrose and corn syrup.Avoid the following: hot dogs, all cold cuts, sausages, bacon, beef jerky, and canned products with meat.

Final Thoughts:

PART 2: Five More Foods to Avoid

References:

Dr. Ingrams, Cass “How to Eat Right and Live Longer”2001, Knowledge House Publishers.

Murray, Michael, “Understanding Fats and Oils”, 1996, Progressive Health Publishing.

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