What the DASH Diet – Does Not Do

What the DASH diet doesn't do? - this is not a weight loss diet ( such as the Keto diet). However, the 2018 U.S News and World Reports "Best Diets Rankings" placed the DASH Diet as #1 out of 40 other diets evaluated by a panel of experts.

Some major factors in the rankings are - long and short term weight loss, easy to follow, and overall health benefits.

Director Kathy McManus - Department of Nutrition at Harvard-affiliated Brigham and Women's Hospital states; "it has all the attributes of a diet that promotes overall health"

Grains: 6 to 8 servings a day

Vegetables:

4 to 5 servings a day

Fruits:

4 to 5 servings a day

Dairy:

2 to 3 servings a day

Lean meat, poultry and fish:

6 servings or fewer a day

Nuts, seeds and legumes:

4 to 5 servings a week

Fats and oils:

2 to 3 servings a day

Sweets:

5 servings or fewer a week

The answer is no. With any diet if someone cuts calorie intake and increases exercise the result will be weight loss. The DASH diet improves overall health with notable benefits in regard to lower blood pressure. Which in some cases my help someone move away from medications that treat hypertension and high blood pressure.

What does a person have to do on the DASH diet?

One reason the DASH diet is preferable over other diets is its ease of use. Simply use the foods mentioned here and limit salt.

Oatmeal with Applesauce

Freshly Squeezed Orange Juice

Whole Wheat English Muffin with Jam

Wheaties® with Skim Milk Topped with Ripe Raspberries

Light Yogurt

Cinnamon Raisin English Muffin with a Schmear of Light Cream Cheese

Pineapple Juice

Lunch

Turkey and Light Swiss Cheese on Whole Wheat, Smothered with Cranberry Sauce,

Chicken Waldorf Salad

Topped with Romaine Lettuce Leaves

Dinner Roll

Minestrone Soup

Nonfat Milk

Snack

Handful of Almonds

Light String Cheese

Italian Bread Dipped in Olive Oil

Dinner

Grilled Salmon with Barbecue Sauce

Roasted Chicken Breast

New Petite Red Potatoes

Baked Potato

French-style Green Beans, Dusted with Crushed Hazelnuts

Asparagus

Hearts of Romaine Lettuce Spiked with Grape Tomatoes, Olive Oil Vinaigrette

Tomato Spinach Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette

Very Berry Sundae

Apple Crisp Topped with Frozen Yogurt

(Strawberries, Blueberries, and Blackberries on Light Vanilla Frozen Yogurt)

Do you have anything to add? Let me know your thoughts!

What the DASH Diet - Does Not Do