What foods should you avoid if you have high blood pressure

My dad has recently been diagnosed with dangerously high BP and I'm really concerned about his diet. What should I tell him?

A diet low in saturated fat and rich in whole grains, fruits, and vegetables is recommended. Such suggestions are nuts, seeds, carrots, spinach, celery, mushrooms, lima beans, potatoes, avocados, broccoli, and foods that contain modest amounts of protein (preferably fish, poultry, or soy products).

Loss of weight immediately reduces blood pressure and helps reduce heart size. Weight loss may allow patients with mild hypertension to safely reduce or go off medications.

Diets high in salt accelerate hypertension as we age. Salt restriction is particularly important for those who are salt-sensitive and for elderly people. Simply eliminating table and cooking salt can be beneficial.

A sufficient intake of minerals, particularly potassium, magnesium, and calcium, are beneficial for reducing blood pressure. Most people should obtain this mineral from potassium-rich foods that include potatoes, avocados, bananas, nonfat milk products, red beans, oranges, prunes, and cantaloupes.

Calcium regulates the tone of the smooth muscles lining blood vessels. Hypertension itself increases calcium loss from the body. Sufficient calcium is important for strong bones.

Vitamin C has specific benefits for hypertension by preventing dangerous effects on nitric acid, the substance that keeps arteries flexible.