Diet for gestational hypertension

Gestational hypertension is high blood pressure that develops during pregnancy. Food choices may help you meet nutritional needs and avoid large swings in energy, yet they cannot control every cause of high blood pressure. Avoid crash diets, fasting, or cutting out whole food groups without maternity advice. Salt is needed by the body, so focus on limiting heavily processed and packaged foods rather than trying to remove salt completely.

Choose vegetables and fruit, beans, whole grains, eggs, fish or other suitable protein, and calcium-containing foods. If nausea, swelling, diabetes, kidney disease, or another condition affects what you can eat, your clinician or dietitian can tailor the plan.

Build meals around a protein food, fibre-rich carbohydrate, and vegetables or fruit. Keep convenient options such as unsalted nuts, yoghurt, fruit, or hummus available. Drink fluids regularly unless your maternity team has given a fluid restriction. Read labels for sodium, and compare similar products. Continue any blood-pressure medicine exactly as prescribed; do not start supplements or herbal products for hypertension without checking first.

Attend antenatal appointments so blood pressure, urine, symptoms, and your baby's wellbeing can be followed. An antenatal care package may help organise this ongoing review.

Contact your maternity service promptly for a severe or persistent headache, vision changes, pain beneath the ribs or in the upper abdomen, sudden worsening swelling of the face or hands, shortness of breath, chest pain, vaginal bleeding, reduced fetal movement, or feeling suddenly very unwell. These symptoms need clinical assessment; changing your diet is not a safe substitute.

Ask which foods or drinks should be limited in your situation, whether you need a dietitian referral, how to record home blood-pressure readings, and which symptoms mean you should attend hospital.