A pulmonary arterial hypertension, or PAH, diagnosis makes it critical that you learn to eat a healthy, balanced, PAH diet. This will help you get the nutrition your body needs while getting to and maintaining a recommended weight. A PAH diet will also help make sure that both your cholesterol levels and your blood pressure remain at low levels. Here we will take a look at 9 diet tips you need to know to help improve your health while living with pulmonary arterial hypertension:

1. Reduce your salt intake

One of the simplest ways you can control blood pressure is to reduce your salt intake. Many recipes call for added salt, but that taste can be replaced with things like garlic, onion, and lemon juice. It is also important to reduce the amount of processed foods you consume because they are notorious for having too much sodium in them. Don’t think of eating a low sodium diet as boring, think of it as a chance to explore new spices and options.

2. Limit fluids

Pulmonary arterial hypertension patients are usually advised against drinking too many fluids. The intake of fluids will cause fluid retention, which can put more pressure on the heart. It is recommended that PAH patients limit their fluids to no more than 2 liters each day.

3. Ditch the alcohol and coffee

Drinking stimulates, like alcohol or coffee, is not a good idea. They can cause an increase in your blood pressure. Choose other drinks that are non-alcoholic and non-caffeinated. Some other ideas would be juice, smoothies, and water.

4. Crackers or dry toast

Due to medication, many pulmonary arterial hypertension patients can feel nauseated and queasy. Eating soda crackers or dry toast, both should be unsalted or low sodium, can help relieve some of the nausea you are experiencing.

5. Increase your iron intake

Pulmonary arterial hypertension patients have found that eating a diet that is low in iron can intensify their symptoms. It is key to choose foods that offer a high amount of iron. Some good choices include mushrooms, red meat, dried apricots, and dark leafy greens.

6. Garlic is your friend

Did you know that eating garlic will help to lower your blood pressure? Raw garlic offers the most benefits and it can be added to many dishes for a pop of flavor.

7. Vitamin K

Vitamin K affects the way most medications prescribed for blood-thinning work. It is important to maintain levels of vitamin K that are consistent so these medications can work properly.

8. Food journal

Keeping a food journal is a good way to keep track of how different foods affect you. Tracking your food is not only helpful for you when choosing food, but it is also be helpful for your nutritionist and doctor.

9. Embrace your diet

Dietary restrictions can seem terrible, but they don’t have to be. Embrace your new diet and look for new, tasty recipes.