Dietetics
Blood pressure and salt
Where dietary salt actually comes from, and what genuinely moves the numbers.
4 min read
What it is
Most people picture the salt cellar, but the majority of dietary sodium arrives already inside food — bread, stock cubes, soup powders, processed meats, snacks and sauces. Reducing sodium lowers blood pressure measurably in many people, and eating more potassium-rich vegetables and fruit helps further.
What to look for
Puffiness, and blood pressure readings that stay high despite medicine
A strong preference for salty foods usually resets within a few weeks of cutting back
Sensible things to do at home
- Cook with herbs, garlic, onion, lemon and spice instead of stock cubes
- Read labels and compare sodium per 100 g between brands
- Cut back on processed meats, packet soups and salty snacks
- Increase vegetables, fruit and legumes for their potassium
- Take the salt cellar off the table
When to see us
- Your blood pressure remains high despite treatment
- You have kidney disease or heart failure and need tailored advice
- You want a realistic plan for a household that cooks together
To book, phone the practice on 058 813 2777 or send us a message. In an emergency, go to the nearest emergency department or call 10177.