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?!"