DASH diet: Healthy eating to lower your blood pressure Show
Discover how DASH can help you lower your blood pressure and improve your health. By Mayo Clinic StaffDASH stands for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension. The DASH diet is a healthy-eating plan designed to help treat or prevent high blood pressure (hypertension). The DASH diet includes foods that are rich in potassium, calcium and magnesium. These nutrients help control blood pressure. The diet limits foods that are high in sodium, saturated fat and added sugars. Studies have shown that the DASH diet can lower blood pressure in as little as two weeks. The diet can also lower low-density lipoprotein (LDL or "bad") cholesterol levels in the blood. High blood pressure and high LDL cholesterol levels are two major risk factors for heart disease and stroke. DASH diet and sodiumThe DASH diet is lower in sodium than a typical American diet, which can include a whopping 3,400 milligrams (mg) of sodium or more a day. The standard DASH diet limits sodium to 2,300 mg a day. It meets the recommendation from the Dietary Guidelines for Americans to keep daily sodium intake to less than 2,300 mg a day. That's roughly the amount of sodium in 1 teaspoon of table salt. A lower sodium version of DASH restricts sodium to 1,500 mg a day. You can choose the version of the diet that meets your health needs. If you aren't sure what sodium level is right for you, talk to your doctor. DASH diet: What to eatThe DASH diet is a flexible and balanced eating plan that helps create a heart-healthy eating style for life. It's easy to follow using foods found at your grocery store. The DASH diet is rich in vegetables, fruits and whole grains. It includes fat-free or low-fat dairy products, fish, poultry, beans and nuts. It limits foods that are high in saturated fat, such as fatty meats and full-fat dairy products. When following DASH, it is important to choose foods that are:
DASH diet: Recommended servingsThe DASH diet provides daily and weekly nutritional goals. The number of servings you should have depends on your daily calorie needs. Here's a look at the recommended servings from each food group for a 2,000-calorie-a-day DASH diet:
Take aim at sodiumThe foods at the center of the DASH diet are naturally low in sodium. So just by following the DASH diet, you're likely to lower your intake of sodium. You can further reduce sodium by:
As you cut back on processed, high-sodium foods, you may notice that food tastes different. It may take time for your palate to adjust. But once it does, you may find you prefer the DASH way of eating. Sign up for free, and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips
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. Which help to reduce cholesterol high blood pressure and blood sugar level?Examples include brisk walking, jogging, running, jumping rope, and swimming. Studies show that doing 30 minutes of aerobic exercise 5 to 7 days a week can cut your risk of heart disease, lower your blood pressure, boost your HDL (good) cholesterol, and help with weight loss.
What can I eat with high cholesterol and diabetes?Diabetes-Friendly Foods to Focus on for High Cholesterol
Beans and lentils. Whole grains (e.g., oats, quinoa, bulgur and farro) Fruit, especially high-fiber fruits, such as berries, apples and pears. Vegetables, particularly leafy greens and cruciferous veggies, such as broccoli, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts.
Which foods are good for controlling diabetes and reducing blood cholesterol?Add these foods to lower LDL cholesterol. Oats. ... . Barley and other whole grains. ... . Beans. ... . Eggplant and okra. ... . Nuts. ... . Vegetable oils. ... . Apples, grapes, strawberries, citrus fruits. ... . Foods fortified with sterols and stanols.. What is a good breakfast for a diabetic with high cholesterol?10 Best Breakfast Foods for People with Diabetes. Eggs. Eggs are delicious, versatile, and a great breakfast choice for people with diabetes. ... . Greek yogurt with berries. ... . Overnight chia seed pudding. ... . Oatmeal. ... . Multigrain avocado toast. ... . Low carb smoothies. ... . Wheat bran cereal. ... . Cottage cheese, fruit, and nut bowl.. |