I Love You Salt, But You're Breaking My Heart

Do you like salt? Do you love salt? If you answered yes to either question, you're not alone. Salt finds its way into an abundance of foods. Needless to say, this is not ideal for our health. So what can we do? In this post, we will discuss the dangers of including too much salt in your diet. Then, we will talk about healthy alternatives. No better time than now to give this your attention, as February is American Heart Month. Don't worry; we aren't attempting for you to completely break off your relationship with salt. The American Heart Association recommends 1,500 milligrams of sodium each day. To clarify these measurements in familiar terms, 1,000 milligrams is equal to one gram, and one teaspoon is equal to five grams. Therefore, a level teaspoon of salt, which is 40 percent sodium by weight, contains 2,000 milligrams of sodium. The majority of Americans easily surpass this amount, with the average person consuming approximately 3,400 milligrams. A driving reason is that several foods we eat contain sodium without us even knowing it. To name a few:

• Pizza: Especially with non-vegetable toppings. The solution is not to have an excess of cheese on your pizza and to include more veggie than non-veggie toppings.
• Soup: The amount of sodium in a single can could be as little as 100 milligrams, or as much as 940 milligrams. Do some detective work to ensure that your soup is of a lower sodium variety.
• Deli meats: Depending on the variety, a two-ounce serving of any deli meat could contain as much as half of the recommended 1,500 daily milligrams of sodium. Again, look for lower sodium varieties.
• Soy sauce: A tablespoon of soy sauce contains 1,000 milligrams of sodium. Even light soy sauce contains 500 milligrams of sodium.

Why be Concerned About Salt?

So, why be concerned about your salt intake? Too much of it can raise your blood pressure, but having it in moderation can reduce the risk of you developing naturally high blood pressure. Also, controlling your salt intake can lower your odds of developing the following conditions:

• Stomach cancer
• Kidney disease
• Stroke
• Osteoporosis
• Heart failure

The question you must be asking yourself now is, "How can I be cautious about the amount of salt I put in my body, while still getting the same satisfaction of flavor?"

If Not Salt, Then What?

Herbs and spices you can cook with as a substitution for salt include:

• Cinnamon
• Basil
• Garlic powder
• Cayenne
• Black pepper powder
• Onion powder
• Lemon juice
• Sunflower seeds

In terms of specific dishes that cut down on salt, there are numerous possibilities. Click on these links to the allrecipes and Food Network websites to discover what low-salt recipes you like best.

Begin Your Low-Salt Plan!

There are a few ways to transition into a lifestyle with less salt in the mix. This infographic will open your eyes ... and your mouth ... and your heart to facts about sodium you should know. Content expert: Ira Ockene, MD, Cardiologist