Hypertension: swap these treats with these four tasty alternatives

High blood pressure occurs when the blood pressure in the body is too high.

This can put extra pressure on the blood vessels, which can lead to serious health problems, such as stroke and heart attacks.

Many risk factors can increase the risk of hypertension.

Poor nutrition is a risk factor, especially a diet rich in salt and fat.

Eating too much salt, fat and sugar while already high blood pressure can still increase it.

It is therefore important to make healthy food choices if you have high blood pressure to reduce it.

Jessica Andersson, a nutrition therapist at Nuffield Health, recommends swapping these snacks with the following four tasty alternatives to help manage blood pressure.

"If you have high blood pressure, you may feel that the things you should not eat are more than what you should," said Andersson.

"These quick tips will help you make the right choices when hunger breaks loose."

candy

Swap candies for a handful of seeds with naturally sweet fruit or berries.

Bars of chocolate

Swap chocolate bars for oatmeal cakes or crackers with a thin layer of sugar-free almond butter or peanut butter.

puddings

Swap puddings for a cup of Greek yoghurt sprinkled with seeds, a handful of blueberries and half a banana.

Chips and dips

Swap chips and dips for chickpea hummus with crispy sticks of carrot, celery or pepper.

"Snacking is not always a bad thing – in fact, it can be a good way to maintain your energy level," Andersson said.

"But busy days and hectic lifestyles sometimes lead to rushed and unhealthy choices, and if you have a health problem, it could be a problem."

"So, if you're craving a snack, consider an exchange that will promote your healthy lifestyle while filling you up."