DASH stands for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension. The DASH diet is a healthy eating plan designed to help treat or prevent high blood pressure (hypertension). The DASH diet includes foods rich in potassium, calcium and magnesium. These nutrients help control blood pressure. The diet limits foods high in sodium, saturated fats and added sugars. Studies have shown that the DASH diet can lower blood pressure in as little as two weeks. The diet can also lower low-density lipoprotein (LDL or "bad") cholesterol levels in the blood. High blood pressure and high LDL cholesterol are two major risk factors for heart disease and stroke. DASH diet a sd The DASH diet is lower in sodium than the typical American diet, which can contain as much as 3,400 milligrams (mg) of sodium or more per day. The standard DASH diet limits sodium to 2,300 mg per day. It meets the recommendation in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans to keep daily sodium intake to less than 2,300 mg per day. That's roughly the amount of sodium in 1 teaspoon of table salt. The lower version of DASH limits sodium to 1,500 mg per day. You can choose the version of the diet that meets your health needs. If you are not sure what level of sodium is right for you, talk to your doctor Is Mrs. Dash a good substitute for salt? Mrs. Dash's spices are absolutely brilliant and a very tasty alternative to salt. Does Mrs. Dash have a high potassium content? Dash) do not contain potassium chloride. These products are simply salt-free blends of various herbs and spices that add flavor to your dishes. Does Mrs. Dash have any sodium? DASH is a salt-free alternative to seasoning your favorite foods. Each blend, seasoning packet or marinade contains multiple spices so your palate can enjoy the taste without salt. Eating healthy meals doesn't mean sacrificing flavor. Is Mrs. Dash good for the kidneys? Not without reason! Every Mrs. Dash spice blend contains no salt and is a great salt substitute for people with kidney disease! Face the sodium The foods that are the basis of the DASH diet are naturally low in sodium. So by following the DASH diet, you are likely to lower your sodium intake. You can further reduce sodium by: Using sodium-free spices or flavorings instead of salt Not adding salt when cooking rice, pasta or hot breakfast cereal Choosing simple fresh, frozen or canned vegetables Choosing fresh or frozen skinless poultry, fish and lean cuts of meat Reading food labels and choosing low-sodium or salt-free options As you cut back on processed, high-sodium foods, you may notice that food tastes different. It may take some time for your palate to adjust. But once it does, you may find that you prefer the DASH-compliant way of eating.