The DASH diet-or Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension-was developed to combat high blood pressure (hypertension is the medical term for high blood pressure).

So what is the DASH diet? It's a balanced eating plan that includes plenty of fruits and vegetables and several daily servings of low-fat dairy.

It emphasizes whole grains (versus refined) and modest amounts of lean proteins, including poultry and fish, to minimize intake of unhealthy saturated fats.

Ultimately, the DASH diet is simply an eating plan that encourages all the foods you've always been told to eat (fruits, vegetables, whole grains) and shuns those we love, but shouldn't (salt, sugar, saturated fat, processed foods).