In nutrition, the diet is all the food ingested by an organism or individual that meets specific requirements. These needs vary from one species to another. For example, on a planet with plant life, there will be plants that will only grow under specific conditions, while others will grow best when given extra sunlight or if they are fertilized with particular nutrients. Humans have only studied plant life on earth so far, but now we are getting a better understanding of the ways that various species of animals can function on different diets.
The first step to take in changing eating habits for high blood pressure is to learn about how the body needs nutrients. Each individual’s body chemistry is unique and not everyone will respond to the same treatments in the same way. Therefore, there is no single “normal” diet that will work for everyone. However, the American Heart Association has released information that can help you determine which types of foods you should be eating and which ones you should avoid, especially if you have high blood pressure.
A diet for hypertension should be designed with your lifestyle and current health in mind. If you smoke, chances are you are already aware of the many risks smoking poses to your health and therefore it may be difficult to make any lifestyle changes. If you do not smoke, then perhaps you could just reduce your intake of alcoholic drinks and maybe include more fruits and vegetables in your diet.
Reducing the amount of sodium and potassium that you are consuming is also part of a healthy diet. If you are consuming a high sodium diet, it might be helpful to reduce your intake of salt, particularly if you are taking prescription medication. You should limit your consumption of high-potassium foods as well. These foods may be prescribed by your physician or are recommended by a medical definition of diet (entry 2 of the ADA’s website).
If you are a parent to young children, then there are some foods you can incorporate into your child’s diet that are already on the approved list of acceptable foods. Some of these eggs (egg yolks), avocados, strawberries, bananas, grapefruit, and low-fat milk. Again, talk to your pediatrician regarding your child’s individualized nutrition needs. Even so, there are many foods that should be avoided, such as those that are high in calories and salt. Your child can be diagnosed with a nutrition disorder at any age, but the earlier the diagnosis is made, the easier the path to recovery and healthier eating will be.
The point of any good weight management plan is to take control of your dietary intake. This will help to ensure that you achieve and maintain an ideal weight and improve your health in the process. Starting with a simple, well-balanced diet that is tailored to your specific needs is one of the best ways to begin weight management and start living your dream.