I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had a patient tell me “I don’t eat salt! I don’t add any salt at the table or when I’m cooking”. And I patiently reply “Great! Good job!” (And it really is GREAT!) “But that’s only half the battle”. Unfortunately, most people aren’t even aware of all the hidden sodium in common processed foods like canned soups and vegetables, frozen meals and deli meats. Not to mention the salt in restaurant and fast food items!
Yesterday CNN reported FDA to consider salt content of processed foods . It’s believed that the amount of salt in the average American diet is a big health threat to the public. The article states “ The AMA (American Medical Association) says cutting in half the sodium in processed and restaurant foods within 10 years could wind up saving 150,00 lives annually”. Wow, that’s huge! Well, I think this is an excellent effort that is long overdue. With our hectic, fast paced lives people are turning more and more to processed, convenience type foods. Asking food manufactures to step up and cut down on the salt content of their products will definitely help make a difference. Here are some tips for cutting down on the hidden sodium in your diet: - READ LABELS: As a general rule of thumb, if something has more than 300 mg of sodium per serving, it’s probably not the best choice.
Buy FRESH (as often as possible). Fresh fruits, vegetables, lean meats, fish, poultry and unprocessed grains. Season with your favorite herbs and spices instead of salt. Go easy on the condiments, dressings and sauces. Many of these items are loaded with salt! Prepare your own frozen meals to grab on days you’re running low on time. Look for 'low sodium' or 'reduced sodium' versions of your favorite foods.
Wishing everyone a healthy, happy Thanksgiving Day! - Lauren
Labels: Health, Lauren, Processed Food
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