High Blood Pressure Meal Plan that is Diabetes-Friendly
Pasta with Chickpeas, Mushrooms, and Kale
If youâre one of the 37 million Americans with type 2 diabetes, youâve probably been told to monitor your blood sugar levels as well as your heart health. But why? People with type 2 diabetes, it turns out, are twice as likely to be diagnosed with heart disease as their counterparts. Furthermore, high blood pressure affects two out of every three diabetics.
Despite the alarming statistics, there are steps we can take to reduce our risk. To begin, aim to eat a healthy, well-balanced diet that includes plenty of heart-healthy potassium and fiber while avoiding foods high in sodium, simple carbohydrates, and added sugars. Aim for good blood sugar control and regular exercise, with a goal of at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity per week.
Related: The Best and Worst Foods for Blood Pressure Control
Finally, losing weight can help improve blood sugar levels and protect your heart if youâre overweight. This plan is based on 1,500 calories per day, which is a level at which most people will lose weight, with modifications for 1,200 and 2,000 calories per day depending on your calorie needs.
What Effect Does Diabetes Have on Blood Pressure?
Diabetes that is not treated or managed leads to chronically high blood sugar levels. When we have too much sugar in our blood, our small blood vessels are eventually damaged. Our blood vessels stiffen and narrow when they are injured, leading to high blood pressure. Because diabetes and high blood pressure can exist without obvious symptoms, itâs important to see your primary care provider on a regular basis for preventive medical care. Of course, leading a healthy lifestyle that includes regular exercise and a well-balanced diet is an excellent prevention strategy!
Focus on Diabetes-Friendly Foods for High Blood Pressure:
Squash (winter) (such as butternut, acorn, delicata)
Natural nut kinds of butter, as well as nuts and seeds
Complete grains (oats, quinoa, barley)
How to Meal-Prep for a Weekâs Worth of Food:
On Days 2â5, prepare the Spinach and Strawberry Meal-Prep Salad for lunch.
Wraps with chicken, apple, and kale
Breakfast time (439 calories, 32g carbohydrate) A.M. Snack (116 calories, 4g carbohydrate) (116 calories, 4g carbohydrate) Lunch (400 calories, 41g carbohydrate) P.M. Snack (62 calories, 14g carbohydrate) Dinner (477 calories, 45g carbohydrate) (477 calories, 45g carbohydrate)
1,494 calories, 88 grams protein, 136 grams carbohydrates, 33 grams fiber, 71 grams fat, 1,161 milligrams sodium
To make 1,200 calories, follow these steps: Substitute 1/4 cup sliced cucumbers for the morning snack, and skip the quinoa at dinner.
To reach 2,000 calories, follow these steps: Add 20 dried walnut halves to your afternoon snack, and one serving of Guacamole Chopped Salad to your dinner.
Chicken Fajitas with Poblanos and Corn on a Sheet Pan
Antonis Achilleos was the photographer, Christine Kelly was the prop stylist, and Karen Rankin was the food stylist.
Breakfast time (344 calories, 50g carbohydrate) A.M. Snack (206 calories, 7g carbohydrate) (206 calories, 7g carbohydrate) Lunch (417 calories, 25g carbohydrate) P.M. Snack (30 calories, 8g carbohydrate) Dinner (500 calories, 38g carbohydrate) (500 calories, 38g carbohydrate)
Total daily calories: 1,498 calories, 83 grams of protein, 128 grams of carbohydrates, 30 grams of fiber, 80 grams of fat, 1,626 milligrams of sodium
To make 1,200 calories, follow these steps: Replace the kefir in the morning snack with 1/4 cup blackberries.
To reach 2,000 calories, follow these steps: 1 medium peach for the morning snack, 1 cup plain Greek yogurt with 1/4 cup chopped walnuts for the afternoon snack, and 1/4 cup guacamole for dinner
Pasta with Chickpeas, Mushrooms, and Kale
Breakfast time (368 calories, 26g carbohydrate) A.M. Snack (200 calories, 28g carbohydrate) (200 calories, 28g carbohydrate) Lunch (417 calories, 25g carbohydrate) P.M. Snack (32 calories, 7g carbohydrate) Dinner (488 calories, 41g carbohydrate) (488 calories, 41g carbohydrate)
Total daily calories: 1,504 calories, 77 grams of protein, 128 grams of carbohydrates, 32 grams of fiber, 84 grams of fat, and 1,245 milligrams of sodium
To make 1,200 calories, follow these steps: Change the morning snack to one plum and skip the dinner salad.
To make it 2,000 calories, increase the A.M. snack to 3 tablespoons of natural peanut butter and the P.M. snack to 1/4 cup unsalted dry-roasted almonds.
meal-prep salad with spinach and strawberries
Breakfast time (344 calories, 50g carbohydrate) A.M. Snack (62 calories, 14g carbohydrate) (62 calories, 14g carbohydrate) Lunch (417 calories, 25g carbohydrate) (417 calories, 25g carbohydrate) P.M. Snack (206 calories, 7g carbohydrate) (206 calories, 7g carbohydrate) Dinner (458 calories, 45g carbohydrate) (458 calories, 45g carbohydrate)
Daily Totals: 1,487 calories, 87g protein, 141g carbohydrate, 33g fiber, 69g fat, 1,368mg sodium
To make 1,200 calories, follow these steps: Omit kefir at breakfast and change P.M. snack to 1/4 cup sliced cucumber.
To reach 2,000 calories, follow these steps: Add 20 dried walnut halves to A.M. snack and add 1 serving Guacamole Chopped Salad to dinner.
Zucchini-Chickpea Veggie Burgers with Tahini-Ranch Sauce
Breakfast time (368 calories, 26g carbohydrate) A.M. Snack (62 calories, 14g carbohydrate) (62 calories, 14g carbohydrate) Lunch (417 calories, 25g carbohydrate) (417 calories, 25g carbohydrate) P.M. Snack (116 calories, 4g carbohydrate) (116 calories, 4g carbohydrate) Dinner (529 calories, 51g carbohydrate) (529 calories, 51g carbohydrate)
Daily Totals: 1,491 calories, 75g protein, 120g carbohydrate, 30g fiber, 85g fat, 1,359mg sodium
To make 1,200 calories, follow these steps: Omit walnuts at breakfast, reduce to 1/2 cup blackberries at A.M. snack, and change P.M. snack to 1/4 cup sliced cucumber.
To reach 2,000 calories, follow these steps: Add 15 dried walnut halves to A.M. snack and add 1 avocado, sliced, to dinner.
Breakfast time (344 calories, 50g carbohydrate) A.M. Snack (196 calories, 4g carbohydrate) (196 calories, 4g carbohydrate) Lunch (343 calories, 29g carbohydrate) (343 calories, 29g carbohydrate) P.M. Snack (145 calories, 12g carbohydrate) (145 calories, 12g carbohydrate) Dinner (485 calories, 27g carbohydrate) (485 calories, 27g carbohydrate)
Daily Totals: 1,513 calories, 92g protein, 122g carbohydrate, 34g fiber, 82g fat, 1,450mg sodium
To make it 1,200 calories: Omit kefir at breakfast, change A.M. snack to 1 plum, and reduce yogurt to 1/2 cup at P.M. snack.
To reach 2,000 calories, follow these steps: Add 1 serving Everything Bagel Avocado Toast to lunch, add 20 unsalted dry-roasted almonds to P.M. snack, and add 2 cups mixed greens and 1 serving Lemon-Garlic Vinaigrette to dinner.
green salad with edamame and beets
Breakfast time (439 calories, 32g carbohydrate) A.M. Snack (154 calories, 5g carbohydrate) (154 calories, 5g carbohydrate) Lunch (343 calories, 29g carbohydrate) (343 calories, 29g carbohydrate) P.M. Snack (76 calories, 11g carbohydrate) (76 calories, 11g carbohydrate) Dinner (478 calories, 44g carbohydrate) (478 calories, 44g carbohydrate)
Daily Totals: 1,490 calories, 92g protein, 121g carbohydrate, 32g fiber, 75g fat, 1,342mg sodium
To make it 1,200 calories: Omit apple at breakfast, change A.M. snack to 1/4 cup blueberries, and omit kefir at P.M. snack.
To reach 2,000 calories, follow these steps: Add 2 Tbsp. natural peanut butter to breakfast, add 1 serving of Everything Bagel Avocado Toast to lunch, and add 10 dried walnut halves to the P.M. snack.