The DASH diet is characterized by which of the following descriptions?

• A. High-fat, low-fiber diet with no limit on sodium.
• B. Exclusive plant-based foods with no animal products.
• C. Fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy, whole grains, lean proteins, with sodium and saturated fat limited.
• D. The DASH diet emphasizes sugar-heavy snacks.

Answer: (C)

The main idea being tested is that the DASH diet is a nutrient-rich eating pattern designed to lower blood pressure by emphasizing certain foods while limiting others. It centers on plenty of fruits and vegetables, low-fat dairy, whole grains, and lean proteins, with sodium and saturated fat kept in check. This combination provides more potassium, calcium, and magnesium to support blood pressure control, more fiber from whole grains and plants, and healthier fats from lean proteins while avoiding high saturated fat. It’s not an exclusive plant-based plan, nor is it high-fat or loaded with sugar-heavy snacks. Therefore, the description that matches DASH is a pattern of fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy, whole grains, lean proteins, with sodium and saturated fat limited.