• You cannot use high sodium products like most canned products (especially canned soups), prepackaged mixes (dips, hamburger helpers), processed meats (ham, bacon, hot dogs, pepperoni, salami). pickled or brined products. Generally, the more processed the food, the higher the sodium. Read the labels for sodium per serving.
• It is usually better to look for products that say no salt added, than to purchase reduced sodium.  Reduced sodium is most of the  time still too high in sodium.
• Do not use bouillion cubes, as a rule they are very high in sodium.
• Most salad dressings are very high in sodium per serving. so learn how to make your own or use vinegar and oil, or a squeeze of fresh lemon.
• Eliminate most frozen products, especially if they have a sauce or a gravy, (unless they say no salt added).
• Most low fat products are double or triple in the amount of sodium per serving (just be aware).
• Go easy with high sodium condiments, such as soy sauce, ketchup, mustard, pickles and olives, barbecue sauce.
• Use unsalted butter instead of salted saves additional sodium and tastes better.
• Avoid MSG (monsodium glutamate), which is in most processed foods. The seasoning Accent is msg.
• Water,  read your labels as many bottled waters have salt added. No water softeners. There are no salt water softeners
• Salt and sugar can cover up many undesirable flavors. They are the first two ingredients on most seasoning labels.
• Read your labels to avoid added salt and the words with the word sodium as part of it, and nitrates, nitrites, sulfates, and sulfites
• Sea salt, kosher salt and other fancy or designer type salts have the same sodium per weight as regular table salt.  

• Choose plain foods like grilled or roasted entrees, baked potatoes and salad with oil and vinegar. Batter-fried foods and combination dishes, like stews or pasta with sauce, most anything with a soup, sauce, gravy or salad dressing will tend to be high in sodium.
• Squeeze fresh lemon or limes over food or salads. Even vinegars help give your food a lift without salt.
• Ask to have no salt added when the food is prepared.
• Take #103 Table Tasty with you to the restaurant.

Stick to a low sodium diet.

Keep your blood glucose under control. You can see if it is under control by having an A1C test at least twice a year. The A1C test tells you your average blood glucose for the past 2 to 3 months. The target for most people is below 7.

Keep your blood pressure under control. Have it checked at every doctor visit. The target for most people is below 130/80.

Keep your cholesterol under control. Have it checked at least once a year. The targets for most people are

• LDL (bad) cholesterol: below 100
• HDL (good) cholesterol: above 40 in men and above 50 in women
• Triglycerides (another type of fat in the blood): below 150

Make physical activity a part of your daily routine. Aim for at least 30 minutes of exercise most days of the week. Check with your doctor to learn what activities are best for you. Take a half-hour walk every day. Or walk for 10 minutes after each meal. Use the stairs instead of the elevator. Park at the far end of the lot.

Choose an activity you like and stay active.

How do narrowed blood vessels cause high blood pressure?

Narrowed blood vessels leave a smaller opening for blood to flow through. It is like turning on a garden hose and holding your thumb over the opening. The smaller opening makes the water shoot out with more pressure. In the same way, narrowed blood vessels lead to high blood pressure. Other factors, such as kidney problems and being overweight, also can lead to high blood pressure.

Many people with diabetes also have high blood pressure. If you have heart, eye, or kidney problems from diabetes, high blood pressure can make them worse.

High Pressure	Low Pressure
A smaller opening makes the water pressure higher. In the same way, clogged blood vessels lead to high blood pressure.

You will see your blood pressure written with two numbers separated by a slash. For example, your reading might be 120/70, said as “120 over 70.” For people with diabetes, the target is to keep the first number below 130 and the second number below 80.

If you have high blood pressure, ask your doctor how to lower it. Your doctor may ask you to take blood pressure medicine every day. Some types of blood pressure medicine can also help keep your kidneys healthy.

You may also be able to control your blood pressure by

• eating more fruits and vegetables
• eating less salt and high-sodium foods
• losing weight if you need to
• being physically active
• not smoking
• limiting alcoholic drinks

To lower blood pressure, get to a healthy weight.

What are the warning signs of a stroke?

A stroke happens when part of your brain is not getting enough blood and stops working. Depending on the part of the brain that is damaged, a stroke can cause

• sudden weakness or numbness of your face, arm, or leg on one side of your body
• sudden confusion, trouble talking, or trouble understanding
• sudden dizziness, loss of balance, or trouble walking
• sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes or sudden double vision
• sudden severe headache

Sometimes, one or more of these warning signs may happen and then disappear. You might be having a "mini-stroke," also called a TIA (transient ischemic [TRAN-see-unt is-KEE-mik] attack). If you have any of these warning signs, call 911 right away.

How can clogged blood vessels hurt my legs and feet?

Peripheral (puh-RIF-uh-rul) arterial (ar-TEER-ree-ul) disease, also called PAD, can happen when the openings in your blood vessels become narrow and your legs and feet don’t get enough blood. You may feel pain in your legs when you walk or exercise. Some people also have numbness or tingling in their feet or legs or have sores that heal slowly.

What can I do to prevent or control peripheral arterial disease?

• Don't smoke.
• Keep blood glucose and blood pressure under control.
• Keep blood fats close to normal.
• Exercise

Disclaimer:  This information is not to diagnose or treat any condition.  Always ask your doctor.