3 Day Sample Menu for the DASH Diet

We all know that our food is an important factor that can control many diseases. So, when it comes to high blood pressure, Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) is an approach to healthy eating that can lower and control this condition.

According to DASH, foods low in sodium but rich in magnesium, potassium, and calcium can lower the blood pressure. But, this diet is also great for those with diabetes.

DASH includes menus which abound with fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy products, fish, whole grains, nuts, and poultry. However, there are limited amounts of sweets, red meats, and sugary beverages.

If you are interested in the DASH diet, but you are not sure how to incorporate it into your daily menu, here are three menus that will help you. They should serve as a basis for healthy planning of your meals.

Some days, you may consume less or more servings than the recommended doses. This is OK if you keep close to the recommendations and do not overcome the average meals of several days.

The only exception includes sodium. Make sure you limit your daily intake of sodium as much as you can.

Day #1

Breakfast

• 2 tbsp. of peanut butter (without salt)
• 1 store-bought whole-wheat bagel
• 1 cup fat-free milk
• one medium orange
• Decaffeinated coffee

Lunch

Spinach salad combined with:

• 1 sliced pear
• 4 cups of spinach leaves
• ½ cup of canned mandarin orange sections
• 1/3 cup slivered almonds
• 2 tbsp. of red wine vinaigrette
• 12 low-sodium wheat crackers
• 1 cup of fat-free milk

Dinner

• Herb-crusted baked cod (4 ounces raw, 3 ounces cooked)
• ½ cup of brown rice pilaf with vegetables
• ½ cup of steamed green beans
• 1 small sourdough roll
• 2 tsps. of olive oil
• 1 cup of fresh berries combined with chopped mint
• Herbal tea (iced)

Snack (at any time)

• 1 cup of low-calories, fat-free yogurt
• 4 vanilla wafers

Day #1 (Nutritional Analysis)

Day #1 DASH Servings

Day #2

Breakfast

• 1 cup of fresh fruits including banana, melons, berries, apple topped with 1/3 cup walnuts and 1 cup low-calories, fat-free vanilla-flavored yogurt
• One bran muffin
• 1 tsp of trans-free margarine
• One cup fat-free milk
• Herbal tea

Lunch

Curried chicken wrap combined with:

• 1 medium whole-wheat tortilla
• 2/3 cup cooked and chopped chicken
• ½ cup chopped apple
• 2 tbsp. of light mayonnaise
• ½ tsp curry powder
• ½ cup/ 8 baby carrots
• 1 cup fat-free milk

Dinner

• 1 cup cooked whole-wheat spaghetti with 1 cup marinara sauce (with no added salt)
• 2 cups mixed salad greens
• 1 tbsp. low-fat Caesar dressing
• One whole-wheat roll
• 1 tsp olive oil
• One nectarine
• Sparkling water

Snack (at any time)

Trial mix combined with:

• ¼ cup raisins
• 1 ounce/22 unsalted twist pretzels
• 2 tbsp. of sunflower seeds

Day #2 (Nutritional Analysis)

Day #2 DASH servings

Day #3

Breakfast

• One cup cooked oatmeal topped with 1 tsp of cinnamon
• 1 slice whole-wheat toast
• 1 tsp of trans-free margarine
• One banana
• One cup fat-free milk

Lunch

Tuna salad combined with:

• ½ cup drained, unsalted tuna
• 2 tbsp. of fat-free mayonnaise
• 15 grapes
• ¼ cup diced celery
• 8 melba toast crackers
• 1 cup fat-free milk
• Served on 2 cups romaine lettuce

Dinner

Beef and vegetable kebab made with:

• One cup of peppers, mushrooms, onions and cherry tomatoes
• 1 cup cooked wild rice
• One cup pineapple chunks
• 1/3 cup pecans

Cran-raspberry spritzer combined with:

• 4-8 ounces sparkling water
• 4 ounces cran-raspberry juice

Snack (at any time)

• 1 cup light yogurt
• 1 medium peach

Day#3 (Nutritional Analysis)

Day #3 DASH servings

Sources: Mayo Clinic; Mayo Clinic