The hypertension.ca website says over 90 per cent of Canadians are estimated to develop hypertension if they live an average life span.

May is national Hypertension Awareness Month and a registered dietitian with Your Independent Grocers in Saskatoon is advocating for everyone to check their blood pressure, because knowing your number is the first step to keeping or achieving a healthy blood pressure.

Nicole Bogner suggests that instead of cutting foods out of your diet, begin by adding healthy foods in. For example, if you haven’t already, you could add in a plant-based protein at least once a week. That would include legumes, with things like lentils and chickpeas produced right in Saskatchewan.

They have fibre, protein, and little to know saturated fat. She advises to be mindful of the fats you are consuming because trans and saturated fats can be linked to heart disease, while unsaturated fat can help to decrease your LDL cholesterol. These include nuts, seeds, avocados, plant-based oils and fatty fish.