If you have high blood pressure, know that you are not alone. With a whopping 116 million Americans having this condition (that’s nearly half of all Americans!), finding ways to manage high blood pressure is a common goal for many.
So, how can all of these people manage their blood pressure safely and effectively? Of course, there are medications people can take that can lower blood pressure under the supervision of a health care provider. And when it comes to lifestyle choices, exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy weight, and managing stress have all shown promise in the quest to maintain healthy blood pressure.
Your diet can also have a profound impact on your blood pressure. A tried-and-true dietary pattern that has shown promise for blood pressure management is the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension diet (aka the DASH diet).
The American Heart Association recommends no more than 2,300 milligrams of sodium a day, with an ideal limit of no more than 1,500 milligrams per day for most adults, especially for those with high blood pressure.
Many fast food menu items are notorious for being high in sodium and saturated fat—two “no-nos” when it comes to managing blood pressure. And, unfortunately for fast food lovers, data shows that eating fast food is linked to elevated blood pressure.
Yet, eating fast food isn’t a rare occurrence for a large proportion of the population, with 36.6% of adults consuming fast food on a given day according to a report published by the CDC. Since 47% of Americans have high blood pressure, it is safe to assume that at least some of the people who are frequenting fast food establishments have this condition.
If you are a fast-food lover and you are focused on keeping your blood pressure in check, it would behoove you to stay away from these six fast-food menu items, as these are the six fast-food orders to avoid if you have high blood pressure.
Even if you are just getting a 6-inch version of this sandwich, you will be exceeding the 1,500-milligram sodium limit right off the bat, as this sub contains 1,990 milligrams per half a footlong. And while you can get a nice whole grain boost if you skip the white bread and a helping of heart-healthy veggies if you choose the right toppings, you will be better off opting for a menu item with less sodium per serving for sure—like the Rotisserie style chicken salad, which contains only 470 milligrams of sodium per serving.
If you think that choosing a salad is the best menu choice if you have high blood pressure, think again! Sure, a salad is chock-full of heart-healthy vitamins and minerals, but at 2,200 milligrams of sodium per serving, this salad is a sodium bomb that should be avoided if you are managing your blood pressure.
If you are looking for something that is satisfying and also heart-healthy, Chick-fil-A’s Greek yogurt parfait only contains 80 milligrams of sodium along with a boost of calcium, magnesium, and potassium—three minerals that are emphasized on the DASH diet.
Surprised that a gigantic sandwich isn’t the #1 menu item to avoid if you have high blood pressure? The Big Breakfast with Hotcakes clocks in at 2,150 milligrams sodium and contains highly-processed meats, fried potatoes, and super-sugary syrup—all things that are contraindicated on any heart-healthy diet. Thankfully, McDonald’s offers a delicious oatmeal to meet your breakfast needs.
A single patty burger is nothing to feel sorry about eating. Beef contains many key nutrients that many of us need more of, including iron and zinc. But tripling your patty serving and topping each burger with cheese and other high-fat and high-sodium ingredients is a recipe for a sodium-ridden meal.
Dave’s Triple sandwich clocks in at 1,570 milligrams of per serving, making it one of the saltiest menu items at this fast food joint.
