Food to Avoid

Unhealthy fats

Limiting how much saturated and trans fats you eat is an important step to reduce your blood cholesterol and lower your risk of coronary artery disease.

Processed meats

Processed meats are those preserved using salts, nitrites, or other preservatives. They include hot dogs, bacon, sausage, salami, and other deli meats, including deli ham, turkey, bologna, and chicken Highly refined and processed grains and carbohydrates Refined or processed foods include white bread, white rice, low-fiber breakfast cereals, sweets and sugars, and other refined or processed carbohydrates.

Canned Vegetables

Veggies may be a cornerstone of a blood-pressure-friendly diet, but not the ones that come out of a can. The preservatives and sauces that keep the vitamin-filled veggies company inside the container are packed with sodium.

Soft drinks and other sugary drinks

Most of the increase is from sugary drinks, especially sodas, sweetened fruit drinks, and sports drinks. A 12-ounce can of soda contains the equivalent of 10 teaspoons of table sugar. 

Tomato Sauce

To keep your blood pressure from spiking, look for jars of tomato sauce with fewer than 350 milligrams per half-cup serving.

Some other Foods to avoid:

Restaurant Soup, Cold Cuts, French fries, Sausage, Potato and corn chips, Soda, Chinese food, Pizza, Tomato Sauce, Frozen Meals, Cottage Cheese and Beef Jerky.

Canned Vegetables

Veggies may be a cornerstone of a blood-pressure-friendly diet, but not the ones that come out of a can. The preservatives and sauces that keep the vitamin-filled veggies company inside the container are packed with sodium. Look for no salt added or low sodium options and be sure to rinse your veggies thoroughly before digging in.

Baked dessert goods

Anything that contains table sugar, brown sugar, corn syrup, maple syrup, honey, molasses, and other sweeteners appears to cause higher rates of oxidative stress. These sweeteners-and the pies, cakes, and other treats they call home can lead to clogged arteries, hypertension, heart failure, and other forms of CVD.

Powdered coffee 'creams'

Like margarine and shortening, these powdered creamers tend to be jacked up with trans fats. The same goes for many types of microwave popcorn, breakfast bars, and anything else that lists hydrogenated oils on its ingredient list.