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How much Salt Should You Have?

How much Salt Should You Have?

I wanted to revisit the topic of salt. Scott wrote about salt a few months ago and I wanted to respond in detail why I think salt is not good for you when you have too much of it.

I think the amount of sodium corresponds to how much processed food you're eating. I think most people would agree you should cut down on processed food. Too much of it causes obesity, increased cancer risk, diabetes, etc. So if you're not having processed foods, it would be difficult to go over the recommended amount of salt intake anyway.

I know part of the reason my blood pressure came down was because of the weight loss. However, the salt was a big factor is my blood pressure too. I remember avoiding salt for a few months and having a bag of chips last year. I got a severe headache and my blood pressure went up... for about a week after. I haven't touched chips since and I feel so much better.

I think my body is sensitive to sodium now. I can taste the food so much better without all the added salt. I used to think everything tasted bland without it. In the past, I wouldn't think much about it and just dump a ton of salt on my food. Now, I don't keep a salt shaker on the table.

So what are some good substitutes for salt? Just go to any supermarket and look at the spices... there's a huge variety that say no salt added. My favorite spice is one Dr. Oz has mentioned many times on his show... turmeric. The benefits of turmeric are many, including anti-inflammatory benefits, it seems to provide protection against cancer and is a natural liver detoxifier. It has a lot more going for it than salt!

Some of you might be wondering about sea salt. While it has more to offer than regular table salt, it doesn't have much more. It only has trace amounts of minerals, despite the hype about it.

I don't think you have to go crazy over analyzing how much salt you have. You'll cut out a ton of sodium just by cutting out all the processed foods. Also, avoid fast food, another source of high sodium.

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Friday, March 29, 2024

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