Question

Bill is a 45-year-old bachelor who eats a grab-and-go breakfast, eats all of his lunches out, and has takeout or “something easy” for dinner. Bill’s doctor is concerned that his blood pressure is progressively rising with every office visit and has advised him to cut out the salt to lower his sodium intake. Bill rarely uses salt from a salt shaker and is unsure what else he can do to lower his sodium intake.

Breakfast: Black coffee Two jelly doughnuts Midmorning snack: Black coffee Cookies Lunch: Two fast-food tacos with tortilla chips and salsa or a 6-in cold cut submarine with potato chips Cola Midafternoon snack: Candy bar If takeout, Chinese food or pizza If "something easy," boxed macaroni and cheese with a couple of hot dogs, canned soup with a cold cut sandwich, or frozen TV dinners Dinner: Instant pudding or ice cream or candy bars Dessert: Cereal and milk or potato chips and dip Evening snacks:

1) What foods did Bill eat yesterday that were high in sodium? What foods were relatively low in sodium? What are better choices for him when eating out? How can he lower his sodium intake while still relying on “something easy” when he prepares food at home?

2) Knowing that potassium may help blunt the effect of a high-sodium intake on blood pressure, what foods would you recommend he add to his diet that would increase his potassium intake?

3) In overweight people, weight loss helps lower high blood pressure. Bill is “a little heavy.” What changes/substitutions could help him lose weight?

Answer 1

Hypertension

The disease or disorder of abnormally high blood pressure is called Hypertension. A high sodium diet is a causative factor for increased blood pressure.

1 question.

The food items that are rich in Sodium(Bill's diet)

1 cup coffee: 4mg sodium

Doughnuts are rich in Sodium( 250-350 mg) and also cookies( 500 mg)

Tortilla chips and salsa contains a moderate amount of sodium

Chinese food and Pizza , Canned soups, frozen TV dinners , some type of instant puddings are high in sodium.

Cold cut sandwich, hot dogs also a good source of sodium

Foods that relatively low in Sodium

milk, ice cream, cereals are low in Sodium. Some variety of cheese, chips and cookies , salsa are containing a normal amount of sodium.

Low sodium conent food that can make easily at home

A person who is at risk of developing hypertension should have a low sodium diet. 1500mg/ day is the recommended intake of such persons.

The dishes( low sodium) can make easily:

1. Oatmeal mixed with nuts and banana; low in Sodium and high in potassium( bananas)

2. Vegetable salad with olive oil

3. Fresh juice / Strawberry citrus Sangria : Fresh juice is preferably good than the canned juice or soups.

4. Seasoned mushrooms with Chicken broth.: easy to make and minimal amount of sodium.

5.Bottle Gourd juice with pineapple.

6. Roasted chicken or turkey; Good source of protein and low sodium content.

7. Grilled corn, chicken and tomatoes ; low in Sodium. high in protein.

8. Fruit salad

2) Diet that is rich in Potassium

Potassium helps to blund the effect of high sodium intake and helps in reducing the blood pressure. Some of the diet that contain high amount of Potassium are;

Bananas and oranges

Cooked brocoli and spinach

dates and raisins

Mushrooms and potatoes

beans and peas

Grape juice

  

3) To lose weight

Bill has to make some changes in his usual diet. Along with the diet changes regular exercise cxn help him to lose his weight. He has to avoid all types of fast food from outside, they are rich in Sodium and unwanted calories. He has to avoid some dishes, especially those are high in Sodium such as Pizza, Canned soups and vegetable juices, processed cheese and cold cuts, pickles and sauces.  

A variety of dishes that is low in Sodium but good for health and taste can be added to his diet, such as brown rice, whole wheat noodles, lean meat such as fish and poultry . Baked or grilled or roasted food can choose over fried foods.

Add more fiber rich food such as whole wheat , oats, green leafy vegetables than the high calory food. Minimise the use of oil.

Physical activity or the regular excersise is important to balance the body weight.