(PRWEB) July 25, 2007 -- It's summer, a time when many American women feel self-conscious about their health, appearance and diminished vitality. They may turn to over-the-counter pills or start a crash diet in hopes of dropping a quick 10 pounds to look better in a swimsuit.
Fad diets come and go, but making sensible, balanced food choices over time is the only proven way to achieve optimum health and an ideal weight for life. The DASH Diet, found on the DASH for HealthTM website, based on scientifically sound nutritional principles, has been documented to help both women and men effectively lower their blood pressure and cholesterol, prevent heart disease, lose weight and just feel better.
Originally developed by researchers studying non-pharmaceutical ways to reduce hypertension, the DASH Diet (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) is now recommended by both the U.S. Department of Agriculture as well as the American Heart Association as a diet all Americans should follow. The eating plan is rich in nutrient-dense fruits, vegetables, whole grains and low-fat dairy and reduced in red meat, fats, and sweets. In various follow-up studies, participants who participated in the DASH for Health web program were consistently found to have lost weight and lowered their blood pressure significantly.
Typically, dieters will stick with a program for two or three weeks, then give up when it becomes too difficult to maintain. The DASH for Health program is easy to adopt as part of a long-term lifestyle. It does not require strict calorie-counting, supplementation or the elimination of any food group or category. Rather, it incorporates real foods that are commonly found in any grocery store, allows dieters to choose how they plan to meet their serving goals with foods that they enjoy, and offers simple yet inventive recipes for a change of pace.
After only a few weeks on the program, many DASH for Health participants say they feel healthier, slimmer and even younger, as a result of the increased energy they experience. Here are a few examples:
"I have been using DASH for Health since 2002. I am constantly battling weight loss...The main reason I stuck with DASH for Health was my weight loss battle is not complete and it is a healthy and balanced approach."
"When I started this program I was 185 lbs. [and my blood pressure was borderline high at 140/90. About a month into the program I had lost about 10 lbs. and my blood pressure had dropped on both sides almost 10 points. I have been able to maintain this with little effort."
"In March...I became faithful about documenting my weight, steps, exercise, blood pressure and food intake into the DASH for Health website...I am very pleased with my weight loss to date (50+ lbs.) and the renewed energy I have as a result of that loss."
The DASH Diet is recommended by the American Heart Association, the USDA's 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the US High Blood Pressure Guidelines. The DASH for Health program is designed to help members improve their eating and exercise habits, lose weight sensibly and feel healthier with recipes, fitness tips, online meal tracking and more -- not just for the summer, but beyond.
