Shake It Like A Salt Shaker...Orrr Not

Salt jazzes up most meals and we have a natural craving for salt. Also, it causes us to bloat, have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and high blood pressure, and an array of other health problems. However, on the flip side, sodium is essential for fluid balance, muscle strength, and nerve function. The US guidelines call for 2,300 mg per day, which is about 1 teaspoon of table salt. Wow. That is not a lot!

Sodium is hidden in some obvious and not obvious places.

• Frozen Dinners
• Cereals (Puffed Rice and Puffed Wheat are sodium free. Try mixing 1/2 puffed rice or puffed wheat with 1/2 your favorite cereal)
• Canned Vegetables (Rinse vegetables well or look for "low sodium" or "no salt added" varieties. Frozen vegetables are the best option.)
• Packaged Deli Meats (Read labels)
• Soups (Look for "low sodium" or "no salt added")
• Marinades (Read labels or make your own. Check the internet for recipes)
• Spaghetti Sauce (Choose low sodium options or make your own)
• Nuts (Try unsalted or dry roasted)
• Potato Chips & Pretzels (Sorry, you're out of luck here)
• Condiments (Good news for Ketchup lovers...there's a low sodium variety!)

Here's a few ways to lower your sodium intake.

-Think about the sources of salt in your diet, such as restaurant meals, salt-based condiments, and convenience foods. Some of these are really loaded with unnecessary salt.

-Read the labels when shopping. Look for lower sodium in cereals, crackers, pasta sauces, canned vegetables, or any foods with low-salt options.

-If you think your meals are high in sodium, balance them by adding high-potassium foods, such as fresh fruits and vegetables.

-If you need to salt while cooking, add the salt at the end; you will need to add much less. The longer the food cooks, the more the salty flavor is muted and at the end, the final taste is on the top layer.

And I leave you with this...They are shakin it like a salt shaker and makin me wonder, "HOW DO THEY DO THAT?!"

Cheers for BEER!

Beer. It's an American past time and my boyfriend's best friend. It can knock the sting off of a hard day and make anybody pretty. Let's face it, the social benefits are through the roof, but when consumed moderately, so are the nutritional benefits.

Since beer is made of natural ingredients, I always tell people that drinking a beer is better than drinking a soda that is loaded down with artificial flavors and carcinogens.

Not only is beer fat free, but it has vitamin B, calcium, potassium, silicon, zinc, sodium, magnesium, niacin, selenium and phosphorous. It's loaded! The antioxidants and vitamins in beer can help rebuild muscle and reduce the risk of heart disease. Also, it has one of the highest energy contents of any food and drink, which doesn't mean you should have six beers -- one gives you energy and six makes you a sloth.

Calorie wise, light beer is best. However, dark beer is best for all of the health benefits. Dark beers also contain more iron, which is an essential mineral for all parts of the body. Iron helps carry oxygen from our lungs to other parts of the body. Another healthy choice is microbrews. Microbrews, since produced in smaller batches, contain more hops. Hops contain polyphenols that help lower cholesterol, fight cancer, and kill viruses. Therefore, tell your doctor you'll just drink a beer instead of filling your prescription! I kid.

Drink in moderation. Easier said than done, I know. Beer can also cause significant long-term health problems to your kidneys, liver, and heart...not to mention your waistline and dignity.

Cheers!