Hypertension is a common disease among middle-aged and elderly people. In addition to taking medication on time and attending regular medical appointments, daily dietary regimen is also important.
Daily dietary principles
Diet should be light, not salty
According to the recommendations of the World Health Organization, salt intake should be controlled at less than 5 grams per person per day. The average salt intake of our residents is 7~20 grams, 90% of which comes from table salt. Therefore, for patients with hypertension in China, special attention should be paid to reducing salt intake.
Consume foods rich in potassium and calcium
Insufficient intake of potassium ions is caused by lifestyle habits, on the one hand, insufficient intake of potassium-rich foods such as vegetables and fruits, and on the other hand, it is also related to the traditional cooking method, in which potassium is often lost with vegetable soup during the frying process of vegetables.
The National Institute of Nutrition recommends a standard adult calcium supply of 180 mg per day. The main reason for calcium deficiency is the lack of animal foods, especially dairy foods, and the monotonous diet, which does not take full advantage of the calcium-rich legumes.
Eat a light diet with less fatty and oily foods
Fatty foods contain a large amount of saturated fatty acids, and too much saturated fatty acids raise blood pressure. However, it should not be too light. Vegetable oils are low in saturated fatty acids and high in unsaturated fatty acids, and a long-term lack of animal foods will result in a low ratio of unsaturated to saturated fatty acids, which will also raise blood pressure.
A moderate diet with high quality protein
High-quality protein can prevent blood pressure from rising, but a large intake of animal protein and animal fat can raise blood cholesterol on the one hand, and make glomerular arteriosclerosis and kidney function diminish on the other, so eating a protein diet should be moderate.
Sweet and tasty, avoid spicy food
A spicy diet can cause a sudden rise in blood pressure, while a sweet and light diet provides the body with sufficient sugar and trace elements, which helps prevent hypertension.
Avoid smoking and alcohol and be relaxed
Stimulation by alcohol and tobacco is a factor in raising blood pressure, while good habits and a calm mood are effective ways to prevent hypertension.
Seasonal diet
Spring diet
Spring is the beginning of the year, the weather is gradually warming up, the whole nature is full of vitality, the temperature changes a lot, the temperature difference between morning and evening and noon is large. In terms of the relationship between the seasons and the internal organs, spring is closely related to the liver. Liver is the organ of wind and wood, should be in the green color, for the rigid organs, the liver qi is often multiplied by the spleen offending the stomach, etc., in addition to its own disease often even to other organs, and this period is also the high incidence of hypertension or active period. Prevention and treatment of hypertension patients during this period is very necessary, of which the diet is very important, should be light and delicious, avoid eating fatty, sweet, thick and cold, greasy, eat more fresh vegetables such as spring bamboo shoots, spinach, celery, etc., less spicy and other stimulating food.
Summer diet
The climate in summer is characterized by heat, often unbearable heat. At the same time, due to more rain and heavy humidity, it is easy to form damp heat and steam. The digestive function of people in summer is weakened, so for patients with hypertension, they should focus on light and refreshing, eat less greasy food, eat more easily digestible food, eat more fresh vegetables and fruits, eat more sour or spicy food to enhance appetite, and take the principle of clearing heat and eliminating summer heat. Do not crave cold drinks and overeat, pay attention to dietary hygiene, prevent infectious diseases, and do not eat spoiled food.
Autumn diet
In autumn, the sky is high, and the land shows a harvest scene. However, the autumn breeze is sluggish, and after the autumn breeze, the cold air arrives again, and dryness is the main gas of autumn. Patients with hypertension should adjust their emotions during this season and eat a light and nourishing diet, with juicy and vitamin-rich sour and sweet products, such as silver fungus, lily of the valley, jujube, cinnamon and lotus seeds.
Winter diet
The diet of hypertension patients should be based on nutritious food, both for yin and yang, with appropriate use of warm animal or plant foods to nourish yang energy, but not too much.