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    The DASH Diet for Weight Loss: 7-Day Meal Plan for Beginners

    7-Day DASH Diet Meal Plan for Beginners | If you're looking for a meal plan to lower your blood pressure that is also designed for weight loss and maintenance, the DASH Diet might be right for you! We're sharing all of the rules and guidelines to help you get started, along with a 7-day menu with easy and tasty mix and match breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snack recipes you'll love. #dashdiet #dashdietmealplan #dashdietrecipes

    The DASH Diet is a healthy eating plan focused on lowering your blood pressure. DASH stands for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension, and the diet is designed to treat or prevent high blood pressure (hypertension). The great thing about this eating plan is that it’s not only for people with high blood pressure, it’s a well-rounded healthy diet that can help anyone who wants to live a healthier lifestyle and lose weight. The DASH diet consists of eating healthy whole foods, low-fat dairy and lean meats, and reducing your intake of processed foods, red meat and sodium. Sound like your type of eating plan? Read on to find about more about the DASH diet for weight loss!

    What is the DASH Diet?

    As mentioned above, the DASH diet was designed to lower blood pressure without medication, reducing your intake of sodium and filling your body with foods rich in nutrients such as potassium, calcium and magnesium. It’s a top diet for heart health and weight loss that involves manageable changes to your diet rather than full blown restrictions involved in fad diets.

    There are two DASH diet types depending on your health needs. The Standard DASH Diet limits sodium consumption to 2,300 mg per day, and the Lower-Sodium DASH Diet limits sodium consumption to 1,500 mg per day. The daily DASH eating plan also recommends 6 to 8 servings of whole grains, 6 or fewer servings of meat, poultry or fish, 4 to 5 servings of fruits, 4 to 5 servings of veggies, 2 to 3 servings of low-fat or fat-free dairy and 2 to 3 servings of fats or oils.

    With the DASH diet, you’ll be avoiding high-calorie, sugary, fatty foods that can lead to high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke, and increasing your micronutrient intake due to all the fruits and vegetables.

    Is the DASH Diet Good for Weight Loss?

    The DASH diet was designed for those who want to lower their blood pressure, but it also works exceptionally well for anyone who wants to lead a healthy lifestyle and, in turn, lose weight. The eating plan focuses on whole foods, such as fruits and veggies, fat-free or low-fat dairy, whole grains, and lean meats including fish and poultry. It eliminates processed foods like sugary drinks and packaged snacks, limits red meat and reduces sodium intake, which are all helpful for significant weight loss.

    20 Foods to Eat and Avoid on the DASH Diet

    Foods to Eat on the DASH Diet

    1. Lean protein such as skinless chicken and fish
    2. Whole grains such as oatmeal, brown rice, quinoa, and whole wheat bread and pasta
    3. Fruits including bananas, apples, dates, grapes, oranges, peaches and strawberries
    4. Vegetables such as broccoli, carrots, collards, potatoes and spinach
    5. Low-fat milk, cheese and yogurt
    6. Nuts and seeds  including almonds, walnuts, sunflower seeds, and peanut butter
    7. Legumes such as kidney beans and lentils
    8. Heart-healthy oils like olive oil, canola oil and safflower oil
    9. Limited amounts of maple syrup, jelly and sorbet

    Foods to Avoid on the DASH Diet

    1. Fatty, red meats like bacon, beef, pork, lamb and veal
    2. Full-fat dairy products
    3. Sugar-sweetened beverages like soda and fruit juice
    4. Sweets like candy, cookies and pastries
    5. Chips and salted nuts
    6. Pre-packaged foods like frozen pasta and rice dishes
    7. Fast foods including pizza and French fries
    8. Cheese, cream and butter
    9. Cold cuts and cured meats
    10. White breads, rolls and sandwiches
    11. Whole milk

    7-Day DASH Diet for Weight Loss Meal Plan

    Day 1

    Breakfast: Sweet Potato Oats Waffles | Chef de Home
    Snack: Dried Apricots and Almonds
    Lunch: Shrimp and Nectarine Salad | Taste of Home
    Snack: Carrots and Hummus
    Dinner: Veggie Quesadillas with Cilantro Yogurt Dip | The Dash Diet

    Day 2

    Breakfast: Peanut Butter Overnight Oats | Minimalist Baker
    Snack: Apple with Almond Butter
    Lunch: Sweet Potato and Black Bean Tacos | Best Dash Diet Recipes
    Snack: Pears with Cinnamon
    Dinner: Sesame Ginger Chicken Stir Fry with Cauliflower Rice | McCormick

    Day 3

    Breakfast: Muesli Scones | Elana’s Pantry
    Snack: Clementines and Sunflower Seeds
    Lunch: Roasted Tofu and Peanut Noodle Salad | Eating Well
    Snack: Red Pepper and Hummus
    Dinner: DASH Diet Mexican Bake | All Recipes

    Day 4

    Breakfast: Southwest Tofu Scramble | Minimalist Baker
    Snack: Dried Mango and Pistachios
    Lunch: Thai Chicken Pasta Skillet | Taste of Home
    Snack: Grapes with Romano Cheese
    Dinner: Turkish Red Lentil Stew | Resperate

    Day 5

    Breakfast: Healthy Breakfast Cookies | Just a Taste
    Snack: Celery with Almond Butter
    Lunch: Fresh Shrimp Spring Rolls | The DASH Diet
    Snack: Spiced popcorn
    Dinner: Easiest Baked Fish | My Fitness Pal

    Day 6

    Breakfast: Banana Almond Smoothie | Cookie + Kate
    Snack: Apple Slices with Cinnamon
    Lunch: DASH Diet Minestrone Soup | All Recipes
    Snack: Plum and walnuts
    Dinner: Mimi’s Lentil Medley | Taste of Home

    Day 7

    Breakfast: Pumpkin Granola Yogurt Parfait | Nutrition in the Kitchen
    Snack: 1 cup of raspberries
    Lunch: Southwestern Brown Rice Bowl | What’s Gaby Cooking
    Snack: Whole wheat pita and hummus
    Dinner: Quinoa and Vegetable Stew | Best Dash Diet Recipes

    The DASH diet is not only one of the best ways to lower your blood pressure, it can also help you lose weight and live a healthier lifestyle without frustrating restrictions. Follow this 7-day eating plan to get started!

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    7-Day DASH Diet Meal Plan for Beginners | If you're looking for a meal plan to lower your blood pressure that is also designed for weight loss and maintenance, the DASH Diet might be right for you! We're sharing all of the rules and guidelines to help you get started, along with a 7-day menu with easy and tasty mix and match breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snack recipes you'll love. #dashdiet #dashdietmealplan #dashdietrecipes

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