Limit Sodium

Cutting Down on Salt

All these flavors and you chose to be salty?

You are what you eat

Sodium Chloride or commonly known as table salt contains 2,300 mg of sodium. It is essential to the function of the kidneys and helps keep fluid balance of the body’s excretory system. Moreover, it is also responsible for sending nerve impulses and muscle function.

According to the American Heart Association, the maximum recommended amount of sodium is 2,300 mg per day. Having too much sodium in the bloodstream causes a spike in blood pressure, thus creating cardiovascular problems in the long run.

In the US, over 70% of sodium comes fro packaged or prepared foods. These include items from fast foods to products we can find in the supermarket. 

How to Cut down on sodium:

1. Check the food/ drink labels- generally, 140mg of sodium or less is a good indicator in foods. Keep in mind that many compounds also contain sodium such as MSG or Monosodium Glutamate. 
2. Stay away from salty foods. These are usually processed foods such as fast food products like Pizza, cured meats, and other foods like bread, soup, and cheeses also contain high amounts of sodium.
3. Keep it to a minimum when cooking. Don’t overseason the food; instead of the taste of the meat and spices should still be the highlight of the dish.

FURTHER READING

https://www.fda.gov/food/nutrition-education-resources-materials/use-nutrition-facts-label-reduce-your-intake-sodium-your-diet

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/15426-sodium-controlled-diet

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/sodium-per-day