Our weeklong meal plan makes it easy to get started on the DASH diet.
7-Day DASH Diet Meal Plan
Updated on Jan. 26, 2023
If you’re looking to lower your blood pressure, give the DASH—or Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension—diet a try. This diet limits foods high in sodium, cholesterol and bad fats while promoting fruits, veggies, nuts and low-fat dairy.
1/22
2/22
Day 1 Breakfast: Banana Oatmeal Pancakes
Total Time
15 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
In our house, we sprinkle these whole wheat pancakes with a little confectioners' sugar because the banana is so sweet that you don't need syrup. —Patricia Swart, Galloway, New Jersey
Nutrition Facts:
2 pancakes: 155 calories, 4g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 293mg sodium, 28g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 4g fiber), 7g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 1/2 fat.
3/22
Day 1 Lunch: Tomato-Garlic Lentil Bowls
Total Time
30 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
An Ethiopian recipe inspired this feel-good dinner that's tangy, creamy and packed with hearty comfort. —Rachael Cushing, Portland, Oregon
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 294 calories, 3g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 419mg sodium, 49g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 8g fiber), 21g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 starch, 2 lean meat, 1/2 fat.
4/22
Chicken Marsala
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This is one of my favorite dishes to order in restaurants, so I created a version that I could make in a flash on a weeknight at home. —Trisha Kruse, Eagle, Idaho
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 493 calories, 11g fat (2g saturated fat), 78mg cholesterol, 279mg sodium, 50g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 7g fiber), 40g protein.
5/22
Day 2 Breakfast: Loaded Quinoa Breakfast Bowl
Total Time
30 min
Servings
1 serving
From the Recipe Creator:
After I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2001, I embarked on a journey to improve my diet and live a healthier lifestyle. I began developing recipes that were not only satisfying, but also anti-inflammatory and highly nutritious. —Chantale Michaud, Guelph, Ontario
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 475 calories, 13g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 85mg sodium, 83g carbohydrate (35g sugars, 10g fiber), 13g protein.
6/22
Day 2 Lunch: Hearty Vegetable Soup
Total Time
1 hour 45 min
Servings
16 servings (4 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
A friend gave me the idea to use V8 juice in vegetable soup because it provides more flavor. My best vegetable soup recipe is perfect to prepare on a crisp autumn afternoon. —Janice Steinmetz, Somers, Connecticut
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 105 calories, 2g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 488mg sodium, 20g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 5g fiber), 4g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 starch.
7/22
Day 2 Dinner: Shrimp Orzo with Feta
Total Time
25 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Tender, hearty and flavorful, this recipe is one of my favorites! Garlic and a splash of lemon add to the fresh taste and heart-healthy benefits of shrimp. —Sarah Hummel, Moon Township, Pennsylvania
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 406 calories, 12g fat (3g saturated fat), 180mg cholesterol, 307mg sodium, 40g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 9g fiber), 33g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 4 lean meat, 2 starch, 1 fat.
8/22
Day 3 Breakfast: Breakfast Sweet Potatoes
Total Time
55 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Baked sweet potatoes aren't just for dinner anymore. Top them with breakfast favorites to power up your morning. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1 stuffed sweet potato: 321 calories, 3g fat (2g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 36mg sodium, 70g carbohydrate (35g sugars, 8g fiber), 7g protein.
9/22
Day 3 Lunch: California Sushi Rolls
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
64 pieces
From the Recipe Creator:
These taste as good as any restaurant or store-bought California rolls. Plus, this is one of the easiest sushi recipes to make! For the best results, use sushi rice to ensure the right sticky consistency. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 35 calories, 1g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 44mg sodium, 7g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 1g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1/2 starch.
10/22
Day 3 Dinner: Cherry Chicken Lettuce Wraps
Total Time
25 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I came up with this amazing recipe when I had a load of cherries on hand. My family polished them off fast, and asked for more. Luckily I had enough fruit to make them again the next day! —Melissa Barlow, Fruit Heights, Utah
Nutrition Facts:
2 filled lettuce wraps: 257 calories, 10g fat (1g saturated fat), 47mg cholesterol, 381mg sodium, 22g carbohydrate (15g sugars, 4g fiber), 21g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1 vegetable, 1/2 fruit, 1/2 fat.
11/22
Day 4 Breakfast: Brown Sugar & Banana Oatmeal
Total Time
15 min
Servings
3 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Oatmeal is a favorite breakfast food, quick, easy and filling. I came up with this version by using some of the same ingredients from my favorite breakfast smoothie. Add bran cereal for a heartier taste and more fiber. A brown sugar substitute and soy milk also blend in well. —Jessi Rizzi, Odenton, Maryland
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup (calculated without additional milk): 215 calories, 2g fat (0 saturated fat), 3mg cholesterol, 71mg sodium, 42g carbohydrate (19g sugars, 4g fiber), 10g protein.
12/22
Day 4 Lunch: Strawberry Blue-Cheese Steak Salad
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
At lunch one day, a friend told me about a steak salad she'd had at a party. It sounded so fantastic I had to try it for myself. My family would eat it nonstop if we could. Can't seem to get enough of that tangy dressing! —Alma Winberry, Great Falls, Montana
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 289 calories, 15g fat (4g saturated fat), 52mg cholesterol, 452mg sodium, 12g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 4g fiber), 29g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 4 lean meat, 2 vegetable, 2 fat, 1/2 fruit.
13/22
Day 4 Dinner: Peanut Ginger Pasta
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
To get that luscious taste of Thai cuisine, combine ginger, basil, lime and peanut butter in a sauce for linguine. It's so good, we've never had leftovers. —Allil Binder, Spokane, Washington
Nutrition Facts:
2 cups: 365 calories, 13g fat (2g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 567mg sodium, 57g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 10g fiber), 14g protein.
14/22
Day 5 Breakfast: Raspberry Peach Puff Pancake
Total Time
35 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Here's a simple, satisfying treat that's perfect when you have company for brunch. It's elegant enough that you can even serve it for dessert at other meals.—Taste Recipes Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece with 1/2 cup fruit and 1 tablespoon yogurt: 199 calories, 7g fat (3g saturated fat), 149mg cholesterol, 173mg sodium, 25g carbohydrate (11g sugars, 3g fiber), 9g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 medium-fat meat, 1 fruit, 1/2 starch, 1/2 fat.
15/22
Day 5 Lunch: Turkey and Vegetable Barley Soup
Total Time
30 min
Servings
6 servings (2 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
Using ingredients on hand, I stirred up this turkey and veggie-packed soup. If you have them, corn, beans and celery are great here, too. —Lisa Wiger, St. Michael, Minnesota
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/3 cups: 208 calories, 4g fat (1g saturated fat), 37mg cholesterol, 662mg sodium, 23g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 6g fiber), 21g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 lean meat, 1 starch, 1 vegetable, 1/2 fat.
16/22
Day 5 Dinner: Vegetarian Black Bean Pasta
Total Time
25 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This black bean pasta was something I created as a teenager, back when I was a vegetarian. Now that my daughter doesn't eat meat, she asks for this dinner several times a week. —Ashlynn Azar, Beaverton, Oregon
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/4 cups: 255 calories, 3g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 230mg sodium, 45g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 9g fiber), 12g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 starch, 1 lean meat, 1/2 fat.
17/22
Day 6 Breakfast: Asparagus Omelet Tortilla Wrap
Total Time
20 min
Servings
1 serving
From the Recipe Creator:
Since this omelet is packed with whole grains, veggies and protein, all I have
to do is add a side of fresh fruit for a healthy breakfast before work. Instead of asparagus, sometimes I make this with fresh spinach. —Bonita Suter, Lawrence, Michigan
Nutrition Facts:
1 wrap: 319 calories, 13g fat (5g saturated fat), 225mg cholesterol, 444mg sodium, 28g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 3g fiber), 21g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 lean meat, 2 fat, 1-1/2 starch.
18/22
Day 6 Lunch: Corn, Rice and Bean Burritos
Total Time
30 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
No one will miss the meat when you dish up these satisfying burritos bursting with a fresh-tasting filling. They’re fast to fix and won’t put a dent in your wallet. —Sharon W. Bickett, Chester, South Carolina
Nutrition Facts:
1 burrito with 1 tablespoon salsa: 326 calories, 8g fat (2g saturated fat), 8mg cholesterol, 500mg sodium, 52g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 4g fiber), 13g protein.
19/22
Day 6 Dinner: Cabbage Roll Skillet
Total Time
35 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Have a happy helping of this quicker take on something our grandmothers would make. We serve it over brown rice. It also freezes well. —Susan Chickness, Pictou County, Nova Scotia
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/3 cups with 2/3 cup rice: 332 calories, 5g fat (2g saturated fat), 43mg cholesterol, 439mg sodium, 50g carbohydrate (12g sugars, 9g fiber), 22g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 starch, 3 lean meat.
20/22
Day 7 Breakfast: Warm 'n' Fruity Breakfast Cereal
Total Time
6 hours 10 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Sleepyheads will love the heartiness of this nutritious cooked cereal with cinnamon. It's loaded with chopped fruit and nuts. Eat it with plain yogurt and sliced bananas or blueberries. —John Vale, Long Beach, Washington
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 185 calories, 3g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 120mg sodium, 37g carbohydrate (18g sugars, 5g fiber), 5g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 starch, 1 fruit, 1/2 fat.
21/22
Day 7 Lunch: Easy Southwestern Veggie Wraps
Total Time
30 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I developed this recipe when corn was in the farmer's market and big, red, juicy tomatoes were in my garden. To make this wrap light and healthy, I use fat-free sour cream, whole grain tortillas and brown rice. Although it's vegetarian by nature, change it up with a large chicken breast, diced small. —Cindy Beberman, Orland Park, Illinois
Nutrition Facts:
2 halves: 295 calories, 4g fat (0 saturated fat), 2mg cholesterol, 525mg sodium, 53g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 7g fiber), 11g protein.
22/22
Day 7 Dinner: Roasted Butternut Linguine
Total Time
1 hour 5 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Squash is one of our favorite vegetables, and this is my husband's preferred fall dish. He looks forward to it all year! —Kim Caputo, Cannon Falls, Minnesota
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/2 cups: 384 calories, 12g fat (2g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 344mg sodium, 64g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 6g fiber), 10g protein.
