Addicted To Salt

We have learned to like salt and now we are addicted, just like deer and cows, who will often roam long distances to find it.

Most carnivores get the sodium they need from eating other dead animals. It is in the blood of their tissues. Our addiction to salt goes all the way back to the beginning of agriculture. Once we tasted salt, we liked it and we put a high value on it. It became one of the spices that we would trade and a precious commodity through out history.

Today, many experts tell us that salt can be a contributing cause of high blood pressure, increased risk of stroke, heart failure and kidney failure. The foods today are very high in sodium. About 9 out of every 10 Americans eat too much salt.

Salt, or sodium chloride, is an ingredient that can sneak up on us, even when we are trying to reduce the salt content in our diet. We all know that salty tasting chips, pretzels and nuts are full of sodium, but most people do not realize that the processed bread they eat several times a day also has high levels of salt. It can range from 80-230mg. of sodium in one slice of white bread.

We can have less sodium in our bread if we do our own bread making. But even if you cut the salt the recipe calls for in half, flour has sodium in it too. Look up the sodium content in foods on the internet. You will be surprised to see that celery has 120mg. of salt in a 100g. serving. Cook your celery in soup and it goes down to about 80mg.

The CDC tells us that the average person eats about 3300mg. of sodium each day. The daily allowance should be in the 2300mg. range, the equivalent of about 1 teaspoon of salt. People aged over 51 are asked to consume at a lower amount of about 1500mg.

The salt shaker on the table is not the villain here. As we have been pointing out, it is in all of the processed food that we eat and the meals that we eat when we dine out. Pick up a can of soup at the grocery store and read the label. Check out the labels on some other foods that you eat like cereal, lunch meat, deli turkey, and even yogurt.

You will not be able to eliminate salt from your diet and you do not want to. A seriously low sodium diet should be undertaken with the advise of a physician or nutritionist. But you can be more aware of your diet and take steps to reduce it. Check out some lower sodium soups by making your own and visit eatdinner4two.com.

Related posts:

1. V8 Juices Compared
2. Eating to Be Fit and Healthy
3. Counter-Top Panini Press
4. Quick Garlic Bread Ideas: The Sure-Footed Side Dish