Foods to Avoid If You Have High Blood Pressure

45. Restaurant Sides – The Silent Saboteurs

You may choose grilled salmon or lean steak, but it’s the “harmless” side dishes—like mashed potatoes, sautéed greens, and rice pilaf—that sneak in the salt. These sides are often seasoned with butter, salt-heavy stocks, and cheese, turning a healthy meal into a blood pressure minefield. Even seemingly healthy veggies can be sodium bombs in disguise. When dining out, ask for sides with no added salt or request steamed vegetables with lemon and olive oil. At home, season with garlic, herbs, and citrus to keep your flavor high and your blood pressure low.

46. Canned Tomato Products – A Pantry Pitfall

Tomato paste, sauce, and diced tomatoes are cooking staples—but the canned versions are often swimming in sodium. A single half-cup serving of canned tomato sauce can contain more than 400 mg of sodium. That adds up fast in pasta dishes, soups, and stews. Instead, opt for “no salt added” canned tomatoes or use fresh ones when possible. You can boost flavor naturally with garlic, basil, and oregano. Making your own simple tomato sauce is easier than you think—and way friendlier to your heart and arteries.