Sugary and high-fat treats aren’t forbidden on DASH, but they’re kept to a minimum. If you’re like us, you probably need a little indulgence from time to time. Severely restrictive diets aren’t always realistic and may even cause you to jump ship, giving up on a healthy eating plan altogether. DASH allows you a little leeway to enjoy the foods you love, but don’t be surprised if you find that, after a few days on DASH, you feel so good that snack foods no longer hold the same appeal.
Table 1-1 shows the quantities you should eat of different food groups when following DASH and examples from each group. If what you see here looks a bit basic or maybe kind of daunting, don’t despair. We share more than 40 great-tasting recipes in Part 4 that really make the DASH diet come alive. (Note: The servings listed in Table 1-1 are based on a 2,000-calorie diet. Some people need more calories than that; others need fewer calories.)
TABLE 1-1 The DASH Diet (Based on 2,000 Calories/Day)
| Type of Food | Number of Servings for a 2,000-Calorie Diet | Example Serving Sizes |
|---|---|---|
| Grains and grain products | 6–8 per day | 1 slice bread, 1 cup dry cereal, ½ cup cooked cereal, rice, or pasta |
| Fruits | 4–5 per day | 10 grapes, ½ grapefruit, 1 small banana, 2 tablespoons raisins, 1 medium apple |
| Vegetables | 4–5 per day | 1 cup raw, ½ cup cooked |
| Low-fat or nonfat dairy products | 2–3 per day | 1 cup milk or yogurt, 1 ounce cheese |
| Lean meats, fish, poultry | 2 or fewer per day | 3–4 ounces cooked per day |
| Nuts, seeds, legumes | 4–5 per week | 1/3 cup nuts, 2 tablespoons nut butter, 2 tablespoons seeds |
| Fats and oils | 3–4 per day | 1 teaspoon margarine, butter, or oil; 2 tablespoons salad dressing |
| High-fat/high-sugar extras | 5 or fewer per week | ½ cup sorbet or frozen yogurt, 1 “fun-size” candy bar, 8 pieces of gummy-type candy, 1 tablespoon jam; 1 ounce dark chocolate (70 percent to 85 percent cocoa) |
That’s the DASH diet in a nutshell; for a deeper look at DASH nutrition, see Chapter 5.
The most powerful lifestyle changes
Just as you need a balanced blend of healthy foods to achieve good health and better blood pressure, your body also requires balance in other areas. Throughout this book, we help you cultivate healthy habits to support the vitality, energy, and overall well-being that you’re craving. Although making changes to your daily routine may seem intimidating at first, it’s surprisingly simple. You just have to take it one step at a time.
We tell you much more about the way lifestyle impacts your health in Chapter 16, but to get started, check out the following sections to get a feel for the simple things you can do or change that may help reduce your risk for hypertension, heart disease, stroke, and a wide array of other conditions.
Moving more
Being active daily is essential for a healthy lifestyle. Before you start calculating the cost of a gym membership and fancy workout clothes, it’s important to understand that getting more daily activity can be as simple as putting on your sneakers and walking out the door. Combat the modern sedentary lifestyle by looking for simple ways to add daily activity: taking a ten-minute walk break, choosing to use the stairs, walking where you may normally drive, sweeping the porch more often, or committing to housework or yard maintenance.
While you’re busy getting more active, why not add in some exercise? It’s nearly impossible to be healthy without regular exercise. By exercising two and a half hours each week, you’ll lower your blood pressure, reduce your stress level, burn some calories, and cut your risk of heart disease, stroke, and dementia a well-worth-it 30 percent. If hitting the gym’s your thing, go for it! If you’re a weight lifter, just make sure you get a good balance of aerobic exercise along with the resistance training. Yoga and Pilates are also terrific ways to take care of your body and encourage serenity of mind, but adding in some walking, running, biking, or swimming to your weekly routine helps keep your heart even stronger.
Cutting back on caffeine, alcohol, and smoking
DASH doesn’t put caffeine off-limits, and for many people, a cup or two of tea or coffee is a great way to take a break and recharge. It turns out that these plant-based drinks actually offer a boost of healthy antioxidants along with the caffeine, but don’t go overboard. (Caffeinated sodas and energy drinks may give you a similar jolt, but they don’t have the same health benefits.) Doctors used to shake their fingers at people with a coffee habit, but the research on coffee and tea strongly suggests that they have health benefits when consumed in moderation — generally considered 3 cups or fewer per day.
Whether or not to drink alcohol is a personal decision. Any form of alcohol enjoyed in moderation appears to offer