What the DASH diet lacks in social media buzz, it more than makes up for with a scientifically backed eating plan.
Sure, you’ve probably heard a lot about the benefits of eating “paleo,” and your social media feeds may be flooded with the latest diet trend, but have you heard of the DASH diet? Continue reading to learn the fundamentals.
What does DASH stand for?
DASH stands for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension and is based on a study of the same name from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI).
What can you eat on the DASH diet?
Sometimes called the Americanized version of the Mediterranean diet, the DASH diet recommends the following daily servings for a person eating 2,000 calories a day:
The diet also includes:
What are the benefits of the DASH diet?
Numerous large and well-regarded studies have shown that the DASH diet is effective in lowering blood pressure and cholesterol levels; hypertension and high cholesterol are two risk factors for heart disease.
The DASH diet is relatively easy to follow, as it doesn’t eliminate entire food groups or require calorie counting or any special foods that you can’t readily find at your regular grocery store.
Will I lose weight on the DASH Diet?
If you’ve been eating chips, fries, burgers, ice cream and other high-calorie foods, you’ll certainly benefit from the DASH diet’s emphasis on high-fiber, more nutrient-dense, lower-calorie foods. While much of the existing research on the DASH diet has focused on cardiovascular health, some studies also suggest that it promotes weight loss. As the NHLBI notes, exercise is an important component for those who want to lose weight on the diet.
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