America needs to cut back on the sodium, says the October 21 Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
If you’re over two years old (and that’s about all of us on this blog), it’s recommended that you consume no more than 2300 milligrams of sodium per day, but the latest study shows that 88.2% of us don’t keep our sodium intake that low. About 75% of the sodium in our diets is natural (or added via salt shaker); the rest is primarily from preservatives, processing, and restaurant preparation.
Most of our food sets us up to eat too much sodium, so we at LetsLose suggest finding friendlier foods!
- Buy low-sodium foods. This is a no-brainer! Check cold cereals, canned goods, and frozen foods for sodium content before you put them in your cart.
- Choose fresh or frozen meats. The less processing, the better.
- Spice it up. There are plenty of ways to add flavor to your favorite dishes without piling on the salt! Check your spice cabinet for parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme—a few spices can add the savory touch you’re looking for.
- Visit the U.S. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute’s website to learn more about how to reduce your sodium intake.
Do you have any savvy sodium hints? Please share!