Diet researched in Baton Rouge named second-best for overall health in 2019

BATON ROUGE, LA (WAFB) - If you’re ready to grasp the “New year, New me” philosophy in 2019, a new diet is a big part of that equation.

Researchers at the Pennington Biomedical Research Center recommend an eating pattern that they helped develop.

It’s called the DASH Diet, and it was ranked this year by U.S. News and World Report as the second-best diet for overall health.

Doctor Catherine Champagne is one of the researchers that was instrumental in developing the diet.

Many food patterns focus on weight loss, but the DASH Diet’s main objective is lowering blood pressure.

People eat mostly fruits, vegetables, and whole grains like oatmeal and rice, while limiting sugar and red meat.

Researchers at Pennington and four other institutions found this lowered blood pressure.

“It was a lot of very detailed work using foods that were higher in certain nutrients,” Champagne said.

You can lose weight on the diet if you count calories and get the proper exercise, but Champagne recommends this diet for people that are looking to improve their overall health.

She says it’s a great one for families that are looking for one to do together. There are some drawbacks though.

Because you’ll be eating mostly fruits and vegetables, you’ll have to go grocery shopping often so your food doesn’t spoil.

And you’ll also need to set aside the time to cook a lot more, since you’ll be buying more fresh produce instead of processed foods.

“It doesn’t mean that people need to eat differently,” Champagne said. “You just give children and young adults more fruits, more vegetables. And actually, I think really setting a pattern as a food preparer, whether it be the mother, or the father, or even the children.”

The Mayo Clinic has an online layout of how to follow the diet: https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/dash-diet/art-20048456

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