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Heart-Healthy Eating DASH Style

Advice from the National Lipid Association Clinician’s Lifestyle Modification Toolbox

Why Follow a Heart-Healthy Eating Pattern?


A heart-healthy eating pattern can help you reduce your cholesterol and triglycerides. It includes eating a variety
of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains; low-fat (1%) or fat-free dairy products; lean protein foods; fatty fish at
least twice a week; vegetable oils and other foods rich in healthy fats; and less sweets, sugar-sweetened
beverages, and fatty red meats. One heart-healthy eating pattern is the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension
(DASH). This eating pattern is:
 High in fiber  Low in added sugars
 High in calcium, potassium, and magnesium  Limiting sodium to 1,500 mg – 2,300 mg each day
 Low in saturated fat and trans fat

Tips for Heart-Healthy Eating Using the DASH Pattern*

Eat up to 6 servings of grains a day; Eat 3-4 cups of colorful vegetables a day like raw or
choose at least 3 servings of fiber-rich cooked vegetables; leafy salad greens served with an oil
whole grains like 1 slice whole grain and vinegar dressing; or low-sodium vegetable juice.
bread, 1 c. whole grain ready-to-eat Eat up to 2 cups of fruits a
cereal, ½ c. cooked brown rice, day like fresh fruit, or
quinoa, or whole grain pasta. frozen or canned fruit
Choose 2 – 3 servings a day without added sugar. Limit
of low-fat or fat-free dairy 100% juice to ½ cup a day
foods like skim or 1% milk, and avoid sugary drinks.
yogurt, and reduced-fat Choose up to 6 oz. of lean
cheeses, or dairy animal protein foods a day
alternatives like fortified like skinless poultry,
soy or rice milk. lean cuts of red meat
Use healthy fats like like “round” and “loin,”
vegetable oils (canola, corn, and oily fish twice a week.
olive, safflower, soybean or
sunflower) in place of coconut Eat at least 1 cup of plant-based
oil. Use avocado, nut butters protein foods each week like soy
(almond, peanut), and soft (tofu, edamame) or legumes (kidney,
margarines in place of butter. pinto, black beans, and lentils) in place
Eat 1 oz. of unsalted nuts or of lean animal protein.
seeds 3 – 4 times each week as
snacks or with meals. Limit your cholesterol intake to <200 mg per day.
Limit egg yolks to 2 – 4 a week; avoid organ meats
Avoid foods with trans fat. Don’t buy foods with the like liver and gizzards, fatty red meats, butter, and
words “partially hydrogenated oil” on the ingredient list. full-fat dairy products.
Limit sodium (salt) to 1,500 – 2,300 mg a day. Prepare foods by baking, grilling, broiling,
Flavor your food with herbs, spices, citrus juices, and vinegars stir-frying, boiling, steaming, or poaching.
instead of salt. Read the food label and choose lower sodium foods.
*The number of servings listed are based on 1,600 calories. You many need more or less calories each day.
A registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) can help you make a heart-healthy meal plan that works best for your
lifestyle and support you in your nutrition journey. Talk with a RDN for the answers to your nutrition questions.
This information is provided as part of the Clinician’s Lifestyle Modification Toolbox courtesy of the National Lipid Association.

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