Eating Healthier in 2011

So many times, patients come to us with borderline blood pressure and/or cholesterol readings and prefer, rightfully so, to try diet and exercise as their first line intervention before starting a medication. Indeed, in the majority of cases this is guideline-supported and appropriate but how exactly should you eat to effect the most change in your cholesterol and triglycerides?

The government can be your friend and Dietary Guidelines are jointly issued and updated every 5 years by the Departments of Agriculture (USDA) and Health and Human Services (HHS). They provide authoritative advice for people two years and older about how good dietary habits can promote health and reduce risk for major chronic diseases.

For high blood pressure, they have formulated the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) eating plan which can be found here:

http://www.health.gov/dietaryguidelines/dga2005/toolkit/DASH/default.htm

Click the link below for the PDF

http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/hbp/dash/new_dash.pdf
If you are confused by the food label, this is an excellent resource below:

http://www.health.gov/dietaryguidelines/dga2005/toolkit/Worksheets/foodlabel.htm

Finally, here is a list of online resources for lal of your dietary questions:

http://www.health.gov/dietaryguidelines/dga2005/toolkit/Worksheets/Websites.htm

Let's make 2011 and healthier and thinner New Year!