Tips to reduce the consumption of salt (sodium)
Sodium and its cousin, the sodium chloride (salt another name) are some of the most common substances in our world and our food. Over two thirds of the Earth are covered with sea water, and throughout history salt has played an important role in the economy, politics, and nutrition. The Roman Empire even paid their soldiers in salt, creating the phrase “worth his weight in salt”.
And yet, while we need sodium, so that our body can function normally, too much sodium may have adverse effects on our health. Up to 30% of the French population has high blood pressure sensitive to sodium. For these people, consuming too much sodium contributes to high blood pressure.
Some tips to reduce consumption salt:
1) Season with herbs and non-salt
Rather than automatically use the salt when cooking, use a mixture of herbs (and spices) without salt. These herbs can add flavor to a dish and enhance its interest without increasing the amount of sodium.
However, read the labels carefully to these mixtures, as many seasoning blends contain salt, so make sure above all that mixtures of herbs are specifically without salt.
2) Find the hidden sodium
Many foods, especially processed foods contain large amounts of hidden sodium. Read the “Nutrition” on packages of food to understand how much sodium you’re into your diet.
Whenever possible, choose products that are salt free, in order to control the amount of sodium in your diet. Curiously, even frozen vegetables often contain hidden sodium. Just as there are hidden sodium, there are hidden calories.