Is your muffin top spilling over and starting to make you feel self-conscious? And, along with the weight gain, have you also developed other diseases like hypertension?
Well, then it’s time to make some changes to ensure that you live longer and healthier.
You will find many diet options out there, but do you know which diet will suit you best?
You might have heard about the DASH Diet (or Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension diet).
If you’ve been suffering from high blood pressure issues — like me and so many others — then the DASH diet plan is best suited for you. Here’s why:
#1 – Lowers Blood Pressure Levels
A regular DASH diet plan restricts your sodium intake to 2,300 milligrams (or 1 teaspoon).
Maintain this level of sodium until your body completely adjusts to the change. Then, alter your sodium levels to 1,500 milligrams (or half a teaspoon).
This low-sodium diet will help maintain your body’s pH balance and lower your blood pressure levels.
These measures are inclusive of your entire day’s food intake.
In other words, the sodium count in your blood is reduced to counter the blood pressure fluctuations it induces.
#2 – Increases Fiber Consumption
In your efforts to contain your sodium count, you need to be wary of the other food groups that are included in your daily diet.
The DASH diet increases the amount of fiber in your food, which has a two-pronged effect:
- It cleanses your body; and
- It helps you lose weight.
Fiber-rich foods can add to the bulk of your stool and expel the toxins from your body.
Also, fiber-rich foods can easily satiate your hunger, thus helping to manage unwanted weight gain.
#3 – Regulates Your Protein Count
While you add more greens and other veggies to your diet, it is also important to maintain adequate protein levels.
Since meat includes a fair amount of sodium, the DASH diet plan limits your meat consumption to 6 ounces daily.
You can replace your protein requirement by adding more lentils and beans, milk, and other protein-rich foods.
#4 – Reduces Your Chances Of Cardiovascular Disease
One of the long-term benefits of DASH dieting is that it lowers your chances of succumbing to cardiovascular diseases.
Since the sodium levels in your blood are lowered, your blood pressure is consequently kept in control and your risks of heart diseases are minimized.
#5 – Facilitates Weight Management
Unwanted weight gain is increasingly becoming a cause of concern.
You might have tried different ways to lose weight, but they might not have worked.
With the DASH diet, however, you can shed some pounds.
Since you include more fiber in your diet, you minimize chances of overeating. Also, clean eating facilitates burning of stored fats and replacing them with lean muscle tissues.
I believe that food alone cannot ensure good health and weight loss. Even though it is imperative that you eat right, it is equally important to get some exercise.
Also, most people aim for diets that are designed for weight loss and not so much towards healthy living. However, we tend to forget that losing unwanted weight is only an extension of a healthy life. So, aim to live healthy instead of just losing weight.
As a regular practitioner and adviser of everything related to health, fitness, and yoga, I also write and contribute to this knowledge ecosystem. I strongly believe that the organic food you find in your pantry provides the best benefits for good health.
