Understanding Sodium Content

When you go to the grocery store, how do you shop? Do you have a list? Do you just grab what looks good? Do you avoid certain aisles? Do you read labels before buying products? Everyone has a method, but have you ever really thought deeply about the way that your shopping methods can effect your health? With so many products on the market that are processed, and filled with preservatives it is incredibly important to be reading labels and know what to look for when making a decision about buying. If you have never been in the habit of reading labels, don’t get overwhelmed! Let’s start with one of the most important things to look at, and that is sodium content. Understanding sodium content and the dangers of it for your health could save you from serious problems down the line.

How to Read Sodium Content

To put sodium content into more of a perspective, the American Heart Association recommends that the average adult should only be consuming around 2,300 mg of sodium a day! This equals about 1 teaspoon of regular table salt. This amount of sodium can be reached much faster then you think, especially when consuming processed products that have a long shelf life.

When shopping for your food, the most effective way to avoid consuming sodium is buying fresh food that is in it’s simplest most natural form. Shopping in the outer aisles of the store is a good way to shop for these kinds of foods. However, there are going to be a lot of things that we will want to buy that are processed such as salad dressings, crackers, cereals, and different snacks. When buying these things look at the nutritional label and start by reading the serving size. Once you can take into consideration the serving size, look below at the amount of sodium that is in that serving size. Remember the the recommended amount is 2,300 mg, and then make good decisions. For example, if a salad dressing contains 800 mg in one teaspoon, this means you could have your entire daily serving or more of salt in just one sitting!

Dangers of Sodium to Our Health

Although the body does need a small amount of sodium to be able to properly work, too much can really do damage. Salt retains extra fluids in the body causing high blood pressure which can lead to heart problems, stroke, heart attacks, kidney problems, and cancers.

If you are feeling sick or having daily abnormal bowel movements, or not urinating enough each day, consult your doctor to get your sodium levels checked. Once you can get the facts, you will get a clearer picture of how you need to change your diet and lifestyle.

Choosing the Right Salt

Another important thing to look at is the type of salt that you and your family use as a seasoning. Whether it’s during cooking, or used has a finishing salt remember that regular refined white table salt is literally just a processed sodium with no other benefits. Try choosing a Pink Himalayan Salt or a good quality Sea Salt. These salts are in their purest form, untouched by toxins, not processed and contain minerals that actually help out bodies to function! Starwest Botanicals has a great line-up of these pure salts, check it out HERE.

• Understanding Sodium Content
• Know the Facts on Mosquitoes
• Health Benefits of Strawberries
• Benefits of Drinking Lemon Water
• Mental Health Awareness

---