DASH Diet
Help your patient manage their hypertension through their diet with a DASH diet plan. Click here for a free downloadable template.
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What is a DASH Diet Plan?
The DASH diet, short for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension, is a scientifically backed and effective dietary plan developed to combat high blood pressure or hypertension. It also plays a crucial role in reducing cholesterol levels associated with heart disease, specifically low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. This diet is founded on a rich array of nutrients that have been proven to contribute to blood pressure reduction, including potassium, calcium, magnesium, protein, and fiber.
On a written DASH diet plan, you�??ll find a list of the core of the DASH diet. These are essential components like vegetables, fruits, and whole grains, which are fundamental to a healthy eating regimen. Furthermore, it includes various food groups that are excellent sources of calcium, protein, and other essential nutrients like fat-free or low-fat dairy products, plant-based milk, beans, legumes, and nuts. This carefully curated combination of elements promotes a balanced and nutritious diet that actively contributes to overall health.
Aside from the list of foods mentioned above, there is also a list of limitations on certain dietary choices on a written DASH diet plan to reinforce its health benefits. It advises limiting the consumption of fish and poultry and against consuming fatty meats such as beef, pork, and lamb, full-fat dairy products, tropical oils like coconut and palm oils, and sugary snacks and sugar-sweetened beverages.
By adhering to the principles of the DASH diet plan provided by the referring physician, individuals with hypertension can substantially improve their blood pressure and overall cardiovascular health, thus emphasizing its significance as a valuable dietary approach.
Check out our free DASH Diet Plan here
Download our free DASH Diet Plan PDF
How Does It Work?
Step One. Acquire a Template
To obtain a digital and printable DASH diet chart template, follow either of these steps:
- Choose either the "Download Template" or "Use Template" button.
- Access Carepatron's template library on their website or app and search for "DASH Diet Chart."
Step Two. Review the Content
The chart is a valuable reference for understanding the best food to consume and food to limit for a balanced and nutritious diet to maintain good cardiovascular health.
Step Three. Complete the Meal Plan
For patients who have hypertension, have a risk of developing cardiovascular disease, or require assistance in meal planning with one�??s condition in mind, utilize the dedicated section to come up with a daily meal plan. In this section, you and your patient can brainstorm and/or record meals that align with the patient�??s dietary needs.
Step 4: Ensure Template Security
After your consultation, it's crucial to safeguard the template and restrict access to authorized individuals. We recommend employing Carepatron, a free patient records software compliant with HIPAA standards, for secure and convenient digital storage.
DASH Diet Plan Example (sample)
If you require guidance on effectively utilizing the DASH diet chart template, we have prepared a PDF file showcasing a completed template for your reference. This document is accessible in digital and printable formats to accommodate your needs.
It is crucial to emphasize that all information within this exemplar template is entirely fictional and is provided solely for explanatory purposes. Additionally, please bear in mind that our sample template represents just one way of utilizing the blank template. You are encouraged to explore alternative applications that best suit your professional requirements.
To access this valuable resource, you can either review the sample template below or click the "Download Example PDF" button. This will provide you with a fully completed, illustrative version of the template, serving as a practical reference for your own purposes.
Download our DASH Diet Plan PDF here
When Would You Use This Plan?
The DASH diet, or Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension, is an invaluable dietary approach under specific circumstances. Primarily, it is designed to address and manage high blood pressure, making it an essential tool in the treatment and prevention of hypertension. Moreover, the DASH diet has demonstrated its efficacy in lowering low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, a risk factor commonly associated with heart disease. This makes the diet particularly relevant for individuals looking to enhance their cardiovascular health.
However, beyond its role in hypertension and heart disease management, the DASH diet also finds applications in addressing kidney disease. It can potentially slow the progression of heart and kidney disease, offering a dietary intervention that contributes to better health outcomes in these conditions. Do note, though, that it is best to exercise caution and consult a healthcare professional if you plan on using this diet to manage your kidney condition, particularly if you have chronic kidney disease, as individual dietary restrictions may apply.
Additionally, the DASH diet's versatility is evident in its alignment with broader dietary recommendations for preventing various health conditions, including osteoporosis, cancer, stroke, and diabetes. And even though weight loss is not the primary objective of the DASH diet, since it focuses on encouraging the patient to consume a well-rounded combination of fruits, vegetables, and protein, it makes it a viable option for those seeking to shed pounds healthily.
Research & Evidence
The DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet has been the subject of various research studies and journal articles. Here are some of the studies that shed light on its effectiveness in promoting overall health and well-being.
Two systemic reviews encountered, namely: �??Adherence to the dietary approaches to stop hypertension (DASH) Diet in Relation to all-cause and cause-specific Mortality: a systematic review and dose-response Meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies�?� and �??A Systematic Review of the Efficacy of DASH Diet in Lowering Blood Pressure Among Hypertensive Adults,�?� suggests and reinforces the ideas that the DASH diet has the potential to improve cardiovascular health, can manage hypertension, play a significant role in enhancing longevity, and reduce the risk of various health conditions.
In fact, the DASH diet extends its purpose from helping adult patients who want to take care of their cardiovascular health to adolescents and their gastrointestinal health. According to the study entitled �??Dietary approaches to stop hypertension (DASH)-style diet in association with gastroesophageal reflux disease in adolescents,�?� DASH has the potential to protect against gastroesophageal disease (GERD). It can also help alleviate the associated symptoms of the disease, like reflux, stomach pain, and nausea. Although it�??s recommended that further research be done on this, the study still proves the versatility of the diet.
These studies collectively offer robust evidence supporting the manifold benefits of the DASH diet, from reducing mortality risk to enhancing gastrointestinal and cardiovascular health. Despite this, however, it�??s encouraged that healthcare professionals first consider the patient�??s medical history, condition, etc., before recommending a particular diet.
References
Balasubramaniam, J., & Hewlings, S. (2021). A systematic review of the efficacy of DASH diet in lowering blood pressure among hypertensive adults. Topics in Clinical Nutrition, 36(2), 158�??176. https://doi.org/10.1097/tin.0000000000000238
Beigrezaei, S., Sasanfar, B., Nafei, Z., Behniafard, N., Aflatoonian, M., & Salehi�?�Abargouei, A. (2023). Dietary approaches to stop hypertension (DASH)-style diet in association with gastroesophageal reflux disease in adolescents. BMC Public Health, 23(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-023-15225-6
Soltani, S., Arablou, T., Jayedi, A., & Salehi�?�Abargouei, A. (2020). Adherence to the dietary approaches to stop hypertension (DASH) diet in relation to all-cause and cause-specific mortality: a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies. Nutrition Journal, 19(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12937-020-00554-8
Commonly asked questions
Registered dietitians, nutritionists, and cardiologists may give their patients who want to care for their cardiovascular health a DASH diet plan template.
They are used when the patient has hypertension, a cardiovascular disease, or simply express concerns about their health which can be improved by adjusting one�??s diet accordingly.
Our DASH Diet Plans can be used as an education resource, reference, guide, and document where one can write their weekly meal plan.
