Session 17. Hypertension

Aim: To equip participants with knowledge on how foods affect blood pressure.

Tools:

• Attendance sheet
• The Power of Food DVD
• AV equipment to show DVD
• Extension cord
• Large writing surface and writing tool
• Paper/pens for group members

Welcome and Introductions:

• Pass around attendance sheet.
• Ask participants (one by one) to discuss their successes and challenges of the past week.

Video:

DVD (5:09): “Healthy Blood Pressure” from The Power of Food: Session 7

The DVD covers:

• Systolic and diastolic blood pressure
• Goals (normal range)
• Managing hypertension
  • Sodium and potassium
  • Fat
  • The benefits of vegetables and fruits
  • Vegetarian diets
• DASH diet

Note: For more information, you may wish to read pages 163-166 of Dr. Neal Barnard’s Program for Reversing Diabetes.