DASH Diet

AnnasGrammie
AnnasGrammie Posts: 13 Member
in Getting Started
I am getting started -- again -- because I just haven't been able to stick with any eating plan for an length of time to be successful. My doctor has recommended the DASH diet which has been around for a few years and sponsored by the National Institute of Health. Is anyone familiar or have you followed this diet? It looks doable to me so I'm encouraged by that. It seems to be a high protein/low carb diet, at least in the beginning phases. I am allowed no sugar or grain for the first two weeks. Hoping someone else is familiar with this diet.

Replies

  • bel_jer72
    bel_jer72 Posts: 1
    I have recently been diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension. I went to a class at the YMCA tonight and the health coach in the
    class suggested the DASH diet. I have no information yet, but am anxious to get started. I meet with the pulmonary specialist this week and if he approves this diet for my condition, I will begin. Any help/suggestions you can give me about how its working for you, would be very appreciated! Thanks!
  • yarwell
    yarwell Posts: 10,477 Member
    http://dashdiet.org/what_is_the_dash_diet.asp
  • wilsoje74
    wilsoje74 Posts: 1,720 Member
    You don't have to follow a certain plan or eliminate food groups to lose weight! No way could I make it without sugar or grains!!
  • caveninit
    caveninit Posts: 153 Member
    I have high blood pressure and downloaded the DASH diet. I use it as a guide to healthier food choices. I have reduced my carbs and try to keep my sodium under 1600 mg. I do not follow it as strictly as I should but I do eat a ton of veggies and some fruit throughout the day, along with whole grains, and am working on increasing my lean protein intake. That is actually the hardest for me..getting enough protein.
  • zyxst
    zyxst Posts: 9,148 Member
    I must be using the wrong Dash diet because I haven't cut out any food types. I eat more fruits and veggies and have switched out foods high in sodium for lower sodium counterparts (Swiss cheese instead of cheddar, low sodium bread for regular). I do my best to keep my sodium intake at 2,000 mg or less.

    For me, I'm distrustful of any plan that tells me to stop eating certain foods/food group, unless you have a medical condition that requires strict carb watching.

    I have HBP and no, being active and eating lower sodium/more fruit and veggies hasn't changed my BP. Cholesterol, I don't know because I can't get blood work done for another year.
  • Redheadllena
    Redheadllena Posts: 353 Member
    I think that high protein and (relatively) lower carbs is a good goal, but don't call it a diet! Change your lifestyle and how you eat to reflect these goals permanently. IMHO.
  • purplecircles81
    purplecircles81 Posts: 1 Member
    Hi! I just finished Phase 1 of the DASH diet and moved on to Phase 2 yesterday. As of this morning I'm down 8lbs and feeling pretty good. I bought the book DASH diet for Weight Loss, and followed that plan. The first phase is only 2 weeks, so it's not that bad, and I had someone do it with me so it held us both accountable. It may not be for everyone, but I'm glad that I found it.
  • missyjoy6988
    missyjoy6988 Posts: 29 Member
    Best of luck to you on your weight loss journey! I have never heard of the DASH diet. I am going to look into it. I just watch what I eat at this point (calories). Just doing that lowers my fat intake. I don't use salt and I do buy low sodium alternatives if available.
  • LassVegas
    LassVegas Posts: 35
    Anything that a doctor who knows you, your biochemistry and your lifestyle recommends is far more reliable than anything any one of us who doesn't know you or any of that stuff can offer, so I would take the recommendation of the professional over someone on this board saying it's a good or a bad idea based on his or her own experience. What works for one person often does not work for another and if your doctor has pegged this one as something that might be right for you, it is worth a try. Good luck! Rootin' for you!
  • impyimpyaj
    impyimpyaj Posts: 1,073 Member
    You don't have to follow a certain plan or eliminate food groups to lose weight! No way could I make it without sugar or grains!!

    If her doctor said she needs to, then yes, she needs to.

    And yes, you COULD make it without sugar or grains. People do it all the time. You would just prefer not to.

    Also, to the person who said "don't call it a diet," you know that "diet" just means the way you eat, right? So right now, my diet consists of a lot of unhealthy foods. It's still my diet.
  • IndependentMe
    IndependentMe Posts: 182 Member
    I followed the Dash Diet for 2 weeks, and compared it to my previous food diaries. Yes I was eating more balanced, but I was surprised to see sodium was actually higher wnen I followed the DASH program. I guess I don't normally crave sodium foods, so by adding low sodium broth and low sodium tomato juice, things I normally would not eat, I was giving myself more sodium than I would normally take in. So, I decided to stop and just try to lose weight with a sensible diet, and exercise pr HZogram and hope that bring my HBP down enough to get off meds. It might be hereditary, but I still want to try.
  • Mia_RagazzaTosta
    Mia_RagazzaTosta Posts: 4,885 Member
    You don't have to follow a certain plan or eliminate food groups to lose weight! No way could I make it without sugar or grains!!

    If her doctor said she needs to, then yes, she needs to.

    It was a RECOMMENDATION, not a must.
  • impyimpyaj
    impyimpyaj Posts: 1,073 Member
    You don't have to follow a certain plan or eliminate food groups to lose weight! No way could I make it without sugar or grains!!

    If her doctor said she needs to, then yes, she needs to.

    It was a RECOMMENDATION, not a must.

    Yes, I know. But if someone's doctor says, "hey, try this to get healthy," people really shouldn't go saying, "Oh, you don't need to do that!"

    Doctor > internet strangers.
  • sodakat
    sodakat Posts: 1,126 Member
    Some of the DASH diet links online recommend cutting way back on grains and sugar the first two weeks but Mayo Clinic sample menus all contain both:

    http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-living/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/dash-diet/art-20047110?footprints=mine

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