DASH diet plan recipes

The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) Diet was originally created by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) to assist those with high blood pressure. Since then, the diet has become a best-selling book and made the U.S. News and World Report Best Overall Diets list for five years in a row!

Marla Heller, R.D., author of the NY Times bestseller The DASH Diet Younger You, says, “The DASH diet is extra rich in nutrient-packed foods, including fruits and vegetables; non-fat or low-fat dairy; lean meats, fish and poultry; mostly whole grains; beans, nuts, seeds, and heart healthy fats.” And she claims the reason the diet has been so successful is because “these foods are key to the proven health benefits of DASH for lowering blood pressure, cholesterol, and reducing the risk of stroke, heart attack, heart failure, diabetes, and some types of cancer.”

The DASH Diet is a well-balanced plan that's easy to follow—even if you're not trying to lower your blood pressure. There’s no elimination of food groups or crazy pills to take; it’s all about eating the right amount of fresh, wholesome foods. You can even have alcohol in moderation (that’s a maximum of one drink per day if you choose to drink, FYI). The plan also encourages regular exercise and a healthy lifestyle, including no smoking. Easy breezy! Try it out with these 10 DASH-approved recipes.