Reducing Sodium Intake
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Posted by Jennifer Murray May 27, 2009 |
According to a recent report by the Centers for Disease Control, Americans consume too much sodium, with 70 percent of Americans eating a little over two times the recommended daily intake of sodium. With processed, prepackaged, and restaurant foods being loaded with sodium, this report from the CDC isn't surprising because of the way the majority of Americans eat. Consuming too much sodium increases the risk of developing high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, and ultimately heart disease. Of course the CDC (and any physician worth their salt…no pun intended) recommends following a low-sodium diet.
How to Reduce Sodium Intake
One of the easiest ways to reduce salt intake is by eating more home-cooked meals since processed, prepackaged and restaurant foods are part of the problem. However, what about those who love to flavor their meals with lots of salt? Cooking with spices and seasonings is the best way to reduce salt intake. One seasoning I use (and love) is Mrs. Dash. It's salt-free and adds so much flavor to meals that I don't even miss salt. Since I eat clean, one of the things I really like about Mrs. Dash products is that the ingredients list doesn't contain words that I can't even pronounce. For example, I recently tried Mrs. Dash Fiesta Lime Seasoning Blend and here are the ingredients:
- Garlic
- Onion
- Lime juice solids
- Citric acid
- Lime peel
- Rice concentrate
In addition to being salt-free, Mrs. Dash seasonings do not contain MSG either, which is always a plus.
If you're thinking about reducing your sodium intake or need ideas on low-sodium recipes, check out: Recipes from the Mrs. Dash Kitchen