Salt is important in enhancing the flavor of the food we eat and there is no denying that food without salt would not appeal to most of us. However, there are a number of risks that we are exposing ourselves to as a result of high salt intake. In general, our bodies only require about 2400 mg of salt on a daily basis, but the reality is that most of us take in more than twice that amount. This is not only in the pure sodium that we add to our food, but also in the form of the processed foods that we eat.
Considering other related factors such as age, weight, family history or even life history, excessive salt use can lead to conditions such as hypertension. We should therefore regulate our sodium intake to reduce the risk of suffering from such ailments. With informed food choices, we can cut down on the total amount of salt we take in. We could start by cutting down on the amount of processed foods that we eat. Some of these processed foods may not even have a salty taste so it is advisable to read the labels. Products that are said to contain low levels of sodium are ones that we should look for. They may also be labeled to contain no salt, but natural sodium may be one of the ingredients. Some of the foods we should limit are popcorn, smoked meats, frozen meals, canned vegetables, packaged foods, and pizzas among others.
If you are a fan of dining out, be aware that restaurant meals usually contain a lot of salt. An alternative that one could use to flavor their food could include fresh herbs like rosemary, citrus juice from lemons or lime or even seasoning blends that are salt-free. One could also increase the intake of fresh fruits and vegetables to help with a low-sodium diet.
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