“What they have in common is less about following a specific diet and more about the foods that make up the overall pattern,” Routhenstein noted.
“Both emphasize cardioprotective foods such as vegetables, fruits, beans, lentils, whole grains, nuts, seeds and healthier unsaturated fats, while limiting foods higher in saturated fat, added sugar and sodium. DASH places an especially strong emphasis on sodium reduction to support healthy blood pressure.”
– Michelle Routhenstein, MS, RD, CDCES, CDN
“In my private practice, I find that simply labeling something as a ‘Mediterranean diet’ or ‘DASH diet’ does not necessarily mean it will be implemented in a way that works for that individual,” she explained.
“Food preferences, culture, traditions, budget, cooking skills and lifestyle all matter. The goal is to take the underlying principles and adapt them to the person, rather than expecting the person to fit into a specific diet,” Routhenstein added.
“The most effective approach is one that incorporates these cardioprotective principles in a way that fits your food preferences, culture and lifestyle, so you can actually sustain it over time,” she concluded.
