The recent DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) clinical study by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute showed how elevated blood pressure levels can be reduced with an eating plan low in total fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol, and rich in fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy products. From this research, the DASH Eating Plan was born.

Is this an eating plan that can also help me maintain or lose weight? Certainly it can! Although the DASH Eating Plan was originally designed to control blood pressure rather than weight, with a few modifications, your weight goals will be a step or two away. Because fruits and vegetables are naturally lower in fat and calories than your common snack items, they really can fill you up without giving you those unwanted extra calories.