Lots of diet plans have come and gone (cabbage soup diet, anyone?) but DASH is here to stay. The DASH eating plan (or DASH diet) has been around for decades because it has solid science to prove that it works.
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Dive into what the DASH diet is and how you can use it to boost your health with dietitian Kate Patton, MEd, RD, CSSD, LD.
DASH stands for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension. This eating plan was designed to lower the risk of hypertension (high blood pressure). High blood pressure affects 1 in 3 American adults and is a major risk factor for heart disease.
When you follow the DASH diet, you consume higher amounts of potassium a heart-healthy mineral. You also consume less sodium, which can help lower your blood pressure and improve heart health.
The benefits of DASH are well-documented. Multiple studies have found that people who follow DASH can lower their blood pressure within a few weeks, says Patton.
But its not just about improving blood pressure. The DASH diet can help you lose excess weight and cut your risk for certain health problems. Research has found that following DASH could lower your risk of:
The best part about the DASH diet? Its flexible. It doesnt require special foods and you dont have to go hungry or eliminate treats, notes Patton. Instead, DASH recommends incorporating heart-healthy foods into your daily life.
The DASH diet focuses on eating heart-healthy foods that you can find in your grocery store. These foods are naturally high in fiber, magnesium, potassium and calcium. Theyre also low in sodium.
If you follow the DASH diet, youll eat plenty of:
DASH also encourages you to cut back on foods that can raise your blood pressure. These include:
If you follow DASH, you dont have to eliminate these foods, says Patton. Instead, take steps toward healthier choices each day. The plan will be easier to stick with. For instance, consider replacing a meat entre with a meatless option once a week.
Most Americans eat more meat than necessary at the expense of their vegetable intake. DASH recommends consuming no more than 6 ounces of meat per day. In its place, eat more fruits and veggies, which contain disease-fighting antioxidants, fiber and other nutrients.
Many Americans eat too much sodium (salt). And eating a diet high in sodium can increase blood pressure and heart disease risk.
The standard DASH diet limits sodium intake to 2,300 milligrams per day. But if you want stronger results, go with the lower-sodium DASH diet. On this plan, you aim for 1,500 milligrams of sodium or less per day.
The DASH combination of nutrient-rich foods and lower sodium intake has a proven effect on blood pressure. Multiple studies have found that following the DASH diet quickly lowers blood pressure in as little as two weeks.
Most of the sodium people consume doesnt come from the saltshaker. Processed and packaged foods are often high in salt, even if they dont taste salty, says Patton. Restaurant and takeout foods can also be very high in sodium.
If youre following DASH, read food labels for sodium content and keep track of how much youre getting. If youre eating out, try these tips to cut back on sodium:
If you follow the DASH eating plan, youll likely shed pounds. Combine the DASH diet with calorie cutting if you want to lose more weight. Find out how many calories you should eat based on your age and activity level. Keep track of your calorie intake and cut back a little at a time.
But dont go to extremes, cautions Patton. If you try to cut calories quickly and dramatically, youll probably feel hungry and tired, she says.
If you need help creating your weight loss plan, talk with your healthcare provider. Your doctor can help you get started or refer you to a nutritionist or dietitian.
A DASH diet meal plan can look different for everyone. The key is to emphasize healthy foods and sideline the less healthy ones, says Patton.
When you go to the grocery store, fill your cart with whole foods and choose boxed, bagged or canned options that are low sodium.For example, original or quick cook oats in the canister have zero milligrams of sodium, but instant oatmeal packets have sodium added.
Beans are also an important part of the DASH diet. If you dont have time to prepare dry beans, canned beans are a good alternative. Look for no-salt-added versions, though, and be sure to rinse them.
Build your meals around foods you like that fit into the DASH plan. Dont like green peppers? Enjoy red peppers, celery or carrots instead. Make your favorite stir fry, but use less salt, add more veggies and swap whole grain brown rice for white rice.
Take recipes you already love and make them DASH-friendly by:
Looking for some inspiration? There are plenty of DASH-friendly recipes to explore. These tasty recipes contain higher amounts of fruits and veggies with low saturated fat and sodium.
Start your day right with a nutrient-rich breakfast:
Skip the afternoon slump by filling up with nutritious foods on your lunch break:
These recipes help keep dinner simple and healthy after a long day:
If you want to increase your weight loss and health benefits, pair the DASH plan with more movement and activity, says Patton.
This doesnt mean you have to join a gym or start hard-core training. Instead, aim for at least 30 minutes of exercise a day. Walking, biking and swimming are all good options. And you dont have to do it all at once. Break it up into two 15-minute chunks or three 10-minute chunks.
Youll boost your health even more if you get 60 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise five days a week. Moderate intensity means your heart rate is about 50% higher than your resting heart rate. There are endless options for moderate-intensity exercise, from taking a brisk walk to swimming laps or playing basketball.
These steps can also boost your heart health:
You dont have to follow DASH perfectly to reap its benefits. Each day, take small steps toward healthier eating, says Patton. Over time, youll start to feel better and lose weight, which can motivate you to keep going.
The flexibility of DASH makes healthy eating fit in with your tastes and lifestyle. And that helps you stick with it for the long-term.
Read more here:
DASH Diet: What Is It, Meal Plans and Recipes - Health Essentials from Cleveland Clinic
