How to Shake Your Sodium Habit
Sodium has been getting a lot of attention lately. It is said that most of us eat far more than our bodies need, which may cause or exacerbate a host of health problems. In fact, excessive sodium may reduce your absorption of calcium, cause you to retain water, and stress your kidneys.
Because of these health concerns, more and more people are trying to shake their sodium habit. But how? Here are some tips.
1. Know where it’s hiding
Excessive sodium intake does not come from the salt shaker alone. One of the problems with sodium is that it lurks in pre-made foods, from fast food to frozen dinners. Even store-bought sweets can contain a decent amount of sodium. Some common foods that contain sodium are:
* Pickles
* Canned foods
* Deli meats
* Deli foods like chicken wings, potato salad, and so forth
* Poultry injected with “broth” or “saline/salt solution”
* Frozen meals and pre-prepared foods (not whole frozen fruits and vegetables)
So make sure to read labels when they’re available, and to ask about sodium content on unlabeled foods such as restaurant fare. Many canned foods are now available in “no salt added” varieties. (Many labels list their sodium content in grams. It helps to know that 1 teaspoon of salt is about 6 grams.)
2. Boost flavor
When cooking at home, try to focus on enhancing flavor in other ways besides pouring on salt. Begin by using whole, fresh foods; pre-made, pre-packaged, pre-cooked foods tend to have added salt. Here are some flavor-enhancing tips.
* Lemon juice can really help satisfy the urge for a salty taste. On foods such rice, whole grains, fish, and steamed or saut