The #1 Snack for Weight Loss If You Have High Blood Pressure, According to a Dietitian

• Nearly half of adults in the U.S. have high blood pressure.

• Incorporating snacks with potassium, protein and fiber like our Peanut Butter-Banana Cinnamon Toast can support healthy weight loss and blood pressure management.

• Simple dietary adjustments, such as following the DASH diet and cooking at home, can significantly reduce sodium intake.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly half of adults have high blood pressure (that’s over 119.9 million people). While there are many conditions that can influence someone having high blood pressure, data does suggest that adults who have a greater body fat percentage (adiposity) account for 65% to 78% of those diagnosed with primary hypertension. Having high blood pressure also puts you at risk for heart disease and stroke, two of the leading causes of death in America today.

Given these statistics, it's important to be proactive with small, simple changes that may have a big impact on your blood pressure. And one simple way of doing this is by including snacks that support both healthy blood pressure and weight management. And according to a dietitian, the #1 snack for weight loss when you have high blood pressure is this Peanut Butter-Banana Cinnamon Toast. The nutrients in this dynamic combo not only pair perfectly together, but also offer a big nutritional bang for your bite.

Why It's So Great

I'm not kidding when I say that as a registered dietitian nutritionist and busy mom of two, I eat this Peanut Butter-Banana Cinnamon Toast daily not only for its convenience, but also for its powerful benefits.

Don't believe me? Then take it from Rahaf Al Bochi, RDN, LD. She shares, "A combination of banana, peanut butter and whole-grain toast is a great snack because it provides protein, fiber-rich carbs and healthy fats, which helps keep your blood sugars stable, gives you energy and keeps you full."

Not to mention, this simple snack is a great source of several nutrients, and these are a few worth noting.

It’s a Good Source of Potassium

If you've heard of potassium, you've likely heard bananas mentioned in the same sentence. That's because bananas are one of the best-known sources of potassium, an important electrolyte essential for keeping your body's fluid levels in balance. Potassium is a dynamic duo with sodium. Potassium works intracellularly to manage fluids, while sodium works extracellularly to help manage your blood pressure as well as keeping your heart pumping smoothly. A medium banana provides around 9% of the Daily Value of potassium.

While it's not the highest food source of potassium (apricots and potatoes actually pack more per serving), it's an easy, convenient and budget-friendly choice most people can find at their local grocer.

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