Sodium is your number one enemy when it comes to keeping high blood pressure at bay. While cooking salt-free is one way to reduce your sodium intake to get your cardiovascular health on track, choosing foods that are naturally low in sodium is just as important. Here are a fewfoods that you can start incorporating into your diet that are low in sodium and high in helpful minerals:

White Beans – Packed with magnesium, calcium and potassium, white beans are the perfect addition to any side dish or soup. Just make sure to use the low-sodium option!

Pork Tenderloin – This lean meat is as beneficial for your blood pressure as it is delicious! It’s saturated fat content is significantly lower than that of other meat cuts, so you and your arteries can chow down with confidence.

Fat-Free Plain Yogurt – There’s nothing more satisfying than a cold, creamy spoonful of delicious yogurt. If you’re looking to spice things up, consider mixing in some blueberries for a boost in both flavor and vascular disease prevention.

Tilapia – The beauty of this healthy fish fillet is that it’s extremely versatile and available year-round. Plus, it’s known for being low in harmful environmental toxins, such as mercury and polychlorinated biphenyls.

Sweet Potatoes – Sub out starchy white potatoes covered in butter for naturally sweetened sweet potatoes. Just make sure you don’t forget about the skin, as it’s full of helpful nutrients to keep your blood pressure down.

Can you think of any great healthy recipes that incorporate some of these ingredients? We’d love to hear all about them on ourFacebook page!

While you’re regulating blood pressure and thinking about your vascular health, are there any unsightly or painful veins that you would rather do without? If so, know thatIsland Vein Specialists is Long Island’s #1 vein practice, and Dr. John Gallagher offers vein treatment procedures to patients throughout Long Island, Queens, and the surrounding areas.