Rex Trulove
Since long before the birth of Jesus, salt has been an extremely important and sought after substance. It is necessary for health and it is used to preserve foods and to season them. The problem is that most people consume far too much salt in today’s world, particularly in developed countries.
Most premade and packaged foods contain salt, both for flavor and to help preserve the food. Salt is then often added during and/or after cooking, which increases the amount that is used. The issue is with the sodium that salt contains, though. Too much sodium can lead to heart disease, heart attack, stroke and high blood pressure.
According to the American Heart Association, people should not eat more than 1,500 milligrams of sodium per day, for an average diet. Our body normally doesn’t require more than 500 mg of sodium daily. This is a little more than the amount of sodium in a half teaspoon of salt.
Several medical organizations have said that the average intake of sodium in the US is nearly 3,500 mg. This means that the average person consumes more than twice the maximum amount of sodium they should consume and seven times more than they actually need.
The good news is that there are several salt substitutes that can be a huge aid in lowering the amount of salt that we consume every day. For instance, rosemary, sage, basil, and thyme all tend to satisfy the desire for salt. The fresh herbs are better at this than the dried ones, but many stores now sell small quantities of fresh herbs in the produce section and most herbs are easy to grow.
Onions, chives, garlic, and leek all also help with the sodium problem, because of the substances they contain.Cayenne pepper and crushed chili peppers can also help.
Using sour juices like vinegar, orange juice, lemon juice and grapefruit juice also help with the craving for salt.
One of the best salt substitutes is also one of the least used: Kelp. This is dried and ground for use. Dried kelp is now easier to find and purchase in supermarkets.
The biggest way to control your sodium intake, though, is to buy less packaged and premade foods. When you buy these, you have no control over the amount of salt that has been added. Whenever possible, learn to make homemade equivalents. This can go a long way toward controlling your sodium intake.
It is also worthwhile to increase your intake of potassium. Sodium is needed for proper nerve function. However, without potassium, there can be a large and unhealthy imbalance.
This is why it is very true that homemade food tastes better than store-bought and is so much healthier for you.
Salt is needed in our diets, but most people eat far too much salt. This isn’t healthy. However, there are ways to lower your salt and sodium intake.
Thanks for the education. It amazes me how many posts I have not read.
I try to be at least somewhat prolific. Right now, I have a cold and that is slowing me down quite a bit.
hmm, nice post i like it
Thank you. I really appreciate it!
Good information, I am eating chips so to much salt for me.
The simple way around that would be to make your own chips (baked, not fried) and season them with nu-salt…potassium chloride. 🙂
It’s a good post in relation with the other blog I read awhile ago regarding the ratio of both sodium and potassium needed of our body
That is what I was hoping for. The other article answered the question, “Why?” This one focuses on, “How?” :))
Yeah you too both complement with each other’s blog
*Yeah you two both complement with each other’s blog
hmm, nice post but sorry i used too much salt and vinegar in my food .
Vinegar shouldn’t be much of a problem. It is good for you, for the most part.
Funny almost all articles I read remind me of how my Grandmother ate and drank and she lived to be 86. Vinegar and garlic were high on her list.
They knew a few things that have been forgotten over time. It sounds like your grandmother was a wise woman.
Sadly, it takes a heart attack to make a person realize they were consuming way too much sodium. My husband’s heart condition woke up everybody! Now we (my kids and me) all consider the amount of sodium or salt in pre-made foods and in the foods we make from scratch.
You’re right. Sometimes it does take something catastrophic. Sometimes the condition is misdiagnosed, too. Many chronic headaches are caused by an imbalance. Insomnia often is, too.