Sodium is an essential mineral to the health and well-being of our bodies. Unfortunately, too much sodium can lead to high blood pressure and heart disease, and most people already eat too much of it in their diets. Those already suffering from heart problems have very good reasons to cut back on sodium, while those who don’t might be well served to cut back preemptively. Here are a few good tips to cutting your salt intake naturally and easily:
1. Cook from scratch. Cooking at home instead of eating fast food, canned food and prepackaged meals gives you significantly more control over your sodium intake. Most preserved meals have high levels of salt in them, and salt is mostly sodium. Cooking at home lets you control the amount of salt used in your food. Most people tend to use salt as a powerful flavor rather than as a flavor enhancer. Cooking at home lets you use other herbs and spices and cut back on the salt without sacrificing flavor.
2. Avoid “low fat” and “low calorie” foods. If you must buy canned choices, like soups for example, choose specifically “low sodium” options. In many cases, choosing a low-fat or low-calorie option actually increases the amount of sodium in the food, because of how salt is used to bolster the lackluster flavors of packaged foods. If you don’t like the taste of low-sodium options, try a different snack like a men’s whey protein powder, which is low in sodium and high in muscle-building protein.
3. Avoid pickled foods and salt-cured meats. Salt is the main ingredient in these two types of food preservation. High levels of salt means high levels of sodium. In some cases, you may be able to find low-sodium varieties of these foods, but in most cases, you’ll be better off limiting or skipping them entirely. For some healthier meal options, check out “Healthy Lunch Ideas for Men.”
4. Go for fresh vegetables instead of canned or frozen. Once again, salt is used frequently in preserving these types of foods, and fresh versions are much healthier. If you have no alternative, at least rinse off the canned or frozen versions before using them, to rinse away the excess salt.
5. Don’t add salt at the dinner table. If you’re trying to cut back on sodium intake, why would you keep a shaker full of sodium on your table? If you must add salt, keep it to a minimum. You can also find spice blends that add excellent flavors without the added salt.
6. Check your food labels before you buy. On the nutrient facts sheet on every food item, it lists the amount of sodium that food contains. You won’t be able to eliminate sodium from your diet, and you shouldn’t. It’s essential to healthy life. However, you may be surprised at what foods are high in sodium.
