Why was the DASH diet ranked as the best diet, the healthiest diet, and the best diet for diabetes? The expert panel of physicians assembled by US New & World Reports chose DASH because it is proven to improve health, has a balance of healthy food groups, and it actually works. And now the Mediterranean diet has jumped out in front. So delicious and heart healthy. DASH has been proven to lower blood pressure and cholesterol, and is associated with lower risk of several types of cancer, heart disease, stroke, heart failure, kidney stones, reduced risk of developing diabetes, can slow the progression of kidney disease, and now is associated with reduced risk of depression.

Both the Mediterranean and DASH diets are plant-focused diets, rich in fruits and vegetables, nuts, with low-fat and non-fat dairy, lean meats, fish, and poultry, mostly whole grains, and heart healthy fats. Perfect together. You fill up on delicious fruits and vegetables, paired up with protein-rich foods to quench your hunger. This makes a plan that is so easy to follow.

The DASH Diet for Weight Loss

The DASH Diet Weight Loss Solution Book While the DASH diet was originally developed as an eating style to help lower blood pressure, it has been found to be a fabulous plan for weight loss. The DASH Diet Weight Loss Solution turbocharges weight loss with a powerful plan based on previously overlooked DASH research. And the new book The DASH Diet Younger You is more pumped up on plants to help you become healthier, lighter, and actually physically younger, from the inside out. It features 14 days of meal plans for vegetarians, and 14 days of plans for meat-eaters, supporting your diet preferences and showing many options on how to put DASH together. It relies on all-natural foods, with no artificial additives or sweeteners!

The DASH Diet Weight Loss Solution has special benefits for people who carry their excess weight around the middle, or who have metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, PCOS, or postmenopausal weight gain. And, it has been shown to be very effective in lowering blood pressure and cholesterol.

The DASH Diet for Health

The DASH diet is especially recommended for people with hypertension (high blood pressure) or prehypertension. The DASH diet eating plan has been proven to lower blood pressure in studies sponsored by the National Institutes of Health (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension). In addition to being a low salt (or low sodium) plan, the DASH diet provides additional benefits to reduce blood pressure. It is based on an eating plan rich in fruits and vegetables, and low-fat or non-fat dairy, with whole grains. It is a high fiber, low to moderate fat diet, rich in potassium, calcium, and magnesium. The DASH diet is a healthy plan, designed for the whole family. New research continues to show additional health benefits of the plan.

In addition to being recommended by your physician, DASH is also endorsed by: The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (one of the National Institutes of Health, of the US Department of Health and Human Services) The American Heart Association (AHA) The 2015 Dietary Guidelines for Americans US guidelines for treatment of high blood pressure The 2011 AHA Treatment Guidelines for Women The Mayo Clinic

The DASH eating plan has been proven to lower blood pressure in just 14 days, even without lowering sodium intake. Best response came in people whose blood pressure was only moderately high, including those with prehypertension. For people with more severe hypertension, who may not be able to eliminate medication, the DASH diet can help improve response to medication, and help lower blood pressure. The DASH diet can help lower cholesterol, and with weight loss and exercise, can reduce insulin resistance and reduce the risk of developing diabetes.

New research shows that following the DASH diet over time will reduce the risk of stroke and heart disease, as well as kidney stones. The benefits of the DASH diet have also been seen in teens with hypertension. The DASH diet truly is the diet for everyone.

The Take-Away.

Think about this. Lean people are NEVER on a diet. They have learned how to eat, have mastered their macros and understand when and what to consume. Education is the key to success. FOOD IS EVERYTHING.