Endocrinology-Diabetes Questions Endocrinology-Diabetes

What can diabetics with high blood pressure eat?

I am a 40 year old male. I have diabetes type 2 and high blood pressure. What can diabetics with high blood pressure eat?

5 Answers

Essentially everything healthy, even fruits, but "in moderation." NO junk food or sugary drinks.
You definitely want to AVOID adding salt to your food, avoid salty foods (like anything processed, in a can or package, and anything from a restaurant, etc.), and of course you want to avoid (or minimize) the "WHITE FOODS" (i.e., sugar, flour, potatoes, pasta, dairy, etc.).
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You can eat whatever you like, but in moderation that is! Ideally, you should be eating 6-7 small frequent meals per day. You should eat every 3 hrs so that you keep your metabolism level throughout the day and glucose & insulin levels at steady state. Half of your plate should include vegetables. You can all the veggies you'd like. Watch your salt intake which is important since you do have high blood pressure. Recommended amount of salt per day is <2000mg. When you cook and season your food choose herbs and powders rather than salts. Also on your plate (1/4) you should have meat preferably baked meats. The serving size should be about the size of your fist. Other (1/4) of plate should include a starch, but must be careful to have starches in moderation. The serving size is limited to fist size as well. DON'T GO BACK FOR SECOND SERVINGS. For beverages, limit your amount of caffeine. Drinking sodas are just not good for you. Sodas are high in sodium and high in carbohydrates bad for diabetes and high blood pressure. Choose snacks low in carbohydrates: nuts, almonds, popcorn, etc.
The best things for a patient who is a diabetic with high blood pressure to eat: Vegetables. Raw vegetables. A low glycemic diet. High protein with fish and chicken, little beef. Start with the anti-inflammatory Whole30 Diet, as hundreds of thousands have successfully done. Join their Facebook group, read books and articles. Just takes 30 days to eliminate everything you could be allergic to, then on Day 31, add back one new food at a time. If you get bloating or diarrhea, you’re allergic. Pick a starting date, then do it!
All the best!

About anything that is low in salt. No foods seem to cause high BP in people with diabetes or in non-diabetics except those high in salt. Processed foods especially processed meats, are especially high in salt as are many snack foods such as potato chips, etc. These should be avoided whether you have diabetes or not since they can cause high BP whether you have diabetes or not. Be temparent in all things especially high salty food, check your BP often & take your BP meds if on them.