DASH Diet

I know, I know...I told you that I wouldn't focus on food till next week, and here I go talking about some diet!

But, I got so inspired reading Tom's post about the DASH diet today (official "diet" website here) that I just had to comment on my blog too. It's a diet that was created to lower hypertension naturally. The main idea is to eat fruits, veggies, low fat dairy, and lean meats. I will promptly start trying this out when I get more funds (aka after the big move at the end of this month to our new duplex and after Xmas is over!). But, I was thinking about a few things.

1. it's what we all know we should be doing (I have said several times that this is what I wanted to do, just without the diet rules and catchy name). This concept is not new - we've been told this our enire lives! Ok, most of us have...it's just that a lot of us never listen to well educated (or intelligent) folks and ignore the "shoulds".

2. I don't follow this stuff without rules. Why is that we need the rules?! Without it, I justify and don't keep myself accountable. Which worries me for sticking to it if I "break" them. Somehow I need to reconsile the need for rules yet not being broken down when I have something I shouldn't. Maybe assigning days where I have something different, like Atkins does. However, a food diary will just piss me off, er, maybe I should say that I will not continue a food diary and therefore it defeats the whole darn purpose!

3. How can I possibly eat all that food? Just like our gov't recommendations (this looks awefully familiar if you remember your pyramid!), they recommed from 6-12 grains, 4-6 fruits, 4-6 veggies, 2-4 dairy, 1.5-2.5 lean meats, and 2-4 fats and sweets...along with 3-6 nuts/week). It seems like a lot of food! Can you imagine eating all of that? Do you think it's about right, for those of you that are intuitive eaters? I suppose it's not American sized portions - it's "normal" portions. So, one of my sized apples probably counts as 2 (at least 1.5) fruits. Plus, if I'm not eating all the "bad" meats or junk food (what do you mean chips aren't health food? French fries also? Blasphemy!) then I should have room for it!

I don't think any "diet" is a long term solution, but until I get into the swing of things I will be followin the DASH diet (still keeping my You, on a diet knowledge in mind). The biggest thing that I need from this diet is to be reminded (behaviorally and metabolism wise) what it's like to eat "normal" portions with healthy foods.
What do y'all think? Fancy spin off of what we already know and love, or if not love at least have known that we "should" do (here's that dang should word again)? Who cares, as long as it gets me eating like a person should if they want to be healthy? Both?