Hypertension or high blood pressure (BP) is no longer an old man’s disease. Many youngsters too are its victims due to their unhealthy lifestyles. Junk food, alcohol consumption, smoking, stress, sedentary lifestyles and other such factors are reasons for triggering hypertension in many people who are only in their 20s or 30s.

While regular exercise, shedding extra kilos and maintaining a healthy lifestyle will better one’s health, your dietary habits will also help a great deal in improving it. Here are a few tasty dishes that you can enjoy if you suffer from hypertension.

If you are bored of eating the usual breakfast, try something new and make a healthy porridge. This dish is extremely healthy and nutritious and will keep your tummy full for a long time due the high content of iron, fibre and protein – it is made of jowar.

People who suffer from high BP have to monitor their salt in-take and avoid processed foods which are high in salt content. It is also vital to reduce smoking and their stress levels if they wish to live a healthy life. But this does not mean that they can’t enjoy tasty food. Try making a healthy, full of fibre pasta. It is made using whole-wheat penne and has lots of veggies in it.

If Indian cuisine is what you enjoy the most then you can opt for making chana paneer. It has good amounts of potassium content which is ideal for people with a high blood pressure and will also satiate your taste buds.
Hypertension is on the rise in India and many cases go undetected making it a silent killer. It is estimated that the number of patients is likely to rise from 140 million in 2008, to about 215 million in 2030. So it is best to get yourself checked by a doctor for it and alter your lifestyle if you suffer from it. Since diet plays a major role, here are two more tasty dishes you can make.

Green peas soup is rich in protein and will help maintain a normal blood pressure. It is easy to make and quick too. So instead of grabbing a packet of crisps or biscuits for snacks, have a soupy meal instead.

And if you are a vegetarian and do not get your share of essential omega 3 fatty acids and calcium from your meals, then make flaxseeds raita. Though anyone can eat this dish, people with hypertension should include it in their diet as it builds immunity and prevents LDL oxidation (the bad cholesterol) and heart ailments.

With dietary and lifestyle changes, you will be able to keep your condition under control so enjoy these yummy dishes and stay healthy.