9. The “DASH” Approach

Dietary approaches to stop hypertension or dash for short is a diet specifically tailored to help control high blood pressure with a focus on foods that are easily accessed. If you are looking for ways to lower your blood pressure, this is a great place to start. Created by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) in the late 90’s, this diet looks at including more low sodium foods while upping things like potassium, calcium and magnesium.

This isn’t an extremely rigid diet and you’ll still have room for your favourite foods. The dash diet limits red meat and sugary food and drink while promoting menus with lots of veggies, low-fat dairy and fruits; as well as nuts, poultry, fish and whole grains.