A Pinch Too Much

Most people consume too much salt. It's one of the main ingredients in cured meats, it's a huge feature in nearly all processed foods, and most folks simply put too much salt on their already salty foods. Eating too much salt can lead to high blood pressure, which is the main cause of strokes and a major cause of heart attacks. Too much sodium (salt) can lead to water retention and weight gain. Physicians often recommend keeping salt intake below 2,300 milligrams (mg) per day for most people. However, if you have any type of heart condition you should use even less. Since most salt intake comes from eating and drinking prepared and pre-packaged foods, reading food labels to determine how much sodium is in a food or beverage is a great way to start lowering sodium intake.

Tips On the Pinch

• Cook without salt.
• Avoid using seasonings that taste salty.
• Cook with low-salt seasonings like herbs or lemon juice.
• Use fresh or frozen vegetables in place of canned ones.
• Avoid canned and cured meats(buy water-packed or fresh instead).
• Avoid fast food.
• Limit snack foods (pretzels, potato chips, olives, cheeses, pickles).
• Avoid frozen dinners.
• Use low salt salad dressing.

Benefits of Low Sodium

• Lower blood pressure.
• Less water retention.
• Improved cardiovascular response.
• Reduce the risk of heart attack or stroke.

One of the keys to healthy eating is choosing foods low in sodium. Lowering your salt intake is a first step in treating illnesses like high blood pressure and heart disease. Lowering the sodium in your diet will also aid you in your weight loss quest. A low salt diet doesn't have to mean a bland one. It's just about making the proper choices for your long-term health. Thanks for your ear and keep reading!