The DASH Diet for Hypertension [Mass Market Paperback]

Thomas J. Moore (Author), Mark Jenkins (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

The DASH Diet for Hypertension, recommended by the American Heart Association, has been shown in studies to lower blood pressure in two weeks without the use of drugs. The DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet emphasizes fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy; includes moderate amounts of fish, poultry, and nuts; and reduces consumption of red meat and sweets. Studies from the National Institutes of Health followed 800 participants and found that the DASH diet lowered blood pressure as much as typical medication.

This is no quirky diet--it's the way the major medical groups have been advising us to eat all along, but with a specific formula that tells you how many servings to eat from each Food Pyramid food group. You also get suggestions for exercising moderately, losing weight, reducing salt, and food shopping.

Included are two weeks of daily menus and 62 recipes, with modified favorites like Macaroni and Cheese and Sweet and Sour Pork with Vegetables, plus innovative dishes such as Mango/Black Bean Salad with Grilled Shrimp and Sweet-Potato Chips (baked). The authors are medical hypertension experts associated with Harvard and Duke medical centers. Recommended for people who want to lower their blood pressure or just eat more healthfully. --Joan Price --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Library Journal

For once, something that sounds too good to be true really works. Developed by the medical school staffs of Harvard, Duke, Johns Hopkins, and Louisiana State University after a large clinical trial, the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet significantly reduces blood pressure, cholesterol, and homocysteine levels through diet alone, and experts agree that widespread adoption of the DASH diet would result in a substantial decrease in coronary heart disease and stroke. The diet includes eating four servings of fruits, four servings of vegetables, and two or three servings of low-fat dairy foods daily. Fatty foods, red meat, and sugar-sweetened foods and beverages are limited. Moore, who chaired the DASH trial, and his fellow authors explain the history of the DASH research as well the diet itself and provide clear and achievable tips on improving health and incorporating the diet into daily life. Two weeks of diet plans and 61 tempting recipes are included. The steps listed for making lifelong dietary changes are excellent. Recommended for all consumer health collections. Janet M. Schneider, James A. Haley Veterans' Hosp., Tampa, FL
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Pocket; 1 edition (March 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0743410076
• ISBN-13: 978-0743410076
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 4.1 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #17,251 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

  #2 in	Books > Health, Mind & Body > Disorders & Diseases > High Blood Pressure
  #8 in	Books > Health, Mind & Body > Aging > Heart Disease

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

110 of 112 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Too good to be true -- but it is true!, May 24, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: The DASH Diet for Hypertension (Hardcover)

I ordered this book for three reasons: Since I taught a course in college-level nutrition, I am appalled at how terrible the diets of too many of us really are. Plus I am something of a fitness nut. Finally I am also a "foodie" who enjoys cooking and eating delicious "gourmet quality" meals that also incorporate first-rate nutrition.

This is the diet book that the USA has been waiting for but too few persons seem to know about it -- yet. It is scientifically accurate and the conclusions of the authors are sound. It is proof that eating for improved health and fitness need not be boring. Indeed, the day after I received the book, I prepared the mango/black bean salad to rave reviews and no leftovers.

The message is not new: We need to increase the fruits, veggies, and whole grain foods in our diet, and to decrease red meats, sodium, and sweets. Although the target audience is those with hypertension, nearly everyone can benefit from accepting the book's challenge to try the DASH diet for two weeks -- and for a lifetime. The fact that the authors go beyond the science and present imaginative, delicious recipes and menus is a definite strength of the book.

A salute to the authors for this timely book!

69 of 71 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Choice, September 2, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: The DASH Diet for Hypertension (Mass Market Paperback)

This diet works, and it is completely fulfilling and delicious. I am so happy I went on it. I have extremely high blood pressure--so high I will always have to take medications for it. I wanted to go on this diet simply because I thought it would be a really healthy way to lose a few pounds. I honestly was not expecting it to lower my blood pressure. Well, I was very surprised to see that it did! After two weeks my BP dropped about 12 points on the upper and 5 points on the lower, consistently. It is really surprising! I was even able to lower my dosage a little. I've enjoyed eating this way tremendously. For anyone who wants to eat healthy, this is a great way to start. This is the most scientifically supported and most highly endorsed eating plan out there.
It is similar to most sensible nutrition plans, with a little more dairy and a little less meat. It is very easy to follow.

I can only say, Congratulations and thank you to the team behind it.

46 of 49 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Been doing this most of my life...., December 1, 2004

By	Dianne Foster "Di" (USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)

This review is from: The DASH Diet for Hypertension (Mass Market Paperback)

Why does the DASH diet work? No one knows for certain, although Thomas Moore has his suspicions and offers some suggestions for the reader. Moore, a member of the Harvard Medical School and Boston University faculties, and his co-authors tested the effects of three different diets: 1) the so-called typical American diet; 2) a fruit and vegetable diet; and 3) the DASH diet, and noted that those who ate the DASH diet lost weight, and experienced better blood pressure, cholesterol and insulin resistance readings.

Perhaps eating a combination of foods rich in fiber, magnesium, potassium, and calcium and high in anti-oxidants is part of the answer. Perhaps eating less refined sugar is also a key. Moore provides many suggestions for increasing the fiber in your diet by eating-you guessed it more vegetables and fruits and fewer GASS (grease-alcohol-sugar-salt) items. Moore explains how to approach shopping at the super market, and menus and recipes for employing "Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension" or DASH. According to the jacket of Moore's book, The American Heart Association, The National Heart Lung, and Blood Institute, and the American Society for Hypertension approve the DASH diet.

I did not find anything new in this book, but if you aren't familiar with the DASH diet, perhaps you will.