What is the DASH diet in simple terms?
DASH stands for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension, and in simple terms it is an eating pattern built around vegetables, fruit, whole grains, and lean protein, with less sodium, red meat, and added sugar than a typical diet. It is less a strict diet and more a general shape for meals.
The basic pattern
- More vegetables and fruit at most meals.
- Whole grains instead of refined ones.
- Lean protein like poultry, fish, and beans over fatty red meat.
- Lower-fat dairy and less added sugar.
- A lower sodium target than a typical American diet.
Why people use it
DASH is widely recommended as a general pattern for blood pressure and overall heart health, mainly because it is easy to follow with ordinary grocery store food rather than special products.
A note on health
This is general information, not medical advice, and your own targets should come from your doctor. Helthee can plan a week of dinners that lean into this pattern, lower in sodium and built around vegetables and lean protein.
An app that does this for you
Helthee turns this into a week of dinners and one sorted shopping list, built to your budget. Join the early access list.