Easy Ways to Reduce Salt....

Sodium is among the most crucial minerals for our metabolism to function normally.

It helps to ensure proper fluid retention. However, excessive sodium consumed via salt raises the chances of developing high blood pressure that is often the underlying cause of heart diseases. Salt is being increasingly touted as the next, biggest sinful food ingredient after sugar, i.e. it tends to affect our overall in a detrimental manner. Here, we will discuss the easier ways of reducing salt and hence, sodium, intake:

Check Food Labels

Most packaged food items clearly mention the amount of sodium used. However, most of us fail to read this part of the packaging. It should be noted that even sweet foods and those where the taste doesn’t hint any salty ingredient often contain lots of sodium. Here, saltiness is overcome by other ingredients. Consider this as a form of masked salt intake. Baked goods, processed foods, tinned or canned foods and those preserved for longer periods usually contains excessive amounts of sodium. Even packaged cereals and popular items like pasta and sauces contain lots of salt.

Keep Your Palate Distracted

Many of us are into the habit of adding excessive amount of table salt because our palate has gotten used to a certain kind of taste. To get rid of the habit of using too much salt, you need to distract your taste buds. This means using flavoring that can easily overcome the saltiness and enhance the taste to such an extent that you don’t feel like adding salt. This includes using flavored herbs and simple additions like lemon juice. The more the seasoning, lesser would be your dependence on salt.

Interpret Foods Better

Please understand that low-calorie foods and those advertised as low-fat foods aren't necessarily healthier if they have high sodium content. These food items might contain a lesser amount of oil, butter or sugar but they are high on sodium. This is done intentionally to ensure that the consumer is overwhelmed by the saltiness of the packaged item and doesn’t miss the usual contents. Thus, along with choosing low-fat foods, you should also search for no-salt or low-sodium foods. If you tend to eat a lot of canned foods, rinse them before cooking to get rid of the excess salt.

Cheat Yourself From Salt at the Table

You might need to use some tricks to find a way of consuming less salt. Replace the salt dispensers on the table with new ones that have smaller cavities. In fact, you can remove the dispensers. As a part of your family meals, talk to everybody and make them understand that every time someone reaches out to the salt-shaker, he/she must be objected.

Balance Your Salt Intake

Potassium is required to balance the high levels of sodium induced by excessive salt intake. People who tend to eat potassium-rich foods are less likely to feel the need to add a dash of salt. Thus, raise your intake of potassium-rich foods like colored vegetables and fruits. This includes bananas, spinach and potatoes.

Keep Yourself Hydrated

People who drink water throughout the day are more likely to be able to naturally get rid of sodium from their bodies. Sodium is among the many substances that are filteredout of the body via urine. However, ensure that you don’t drink too much of mineralized or softened water as these packaged varieties of water are known to contain a reasonable amount of sodium. (Health, MensXP.com)