Pass the Salt, Dear

Americans are still shaking it way too hard — the salt shaker that is.

Americans are eating more salt than ever despite recommendations to limit sodium intake, according to a foodnetwork.com article. The article states that we Americans are consuming 3,000-5,000 mg of salt each and every day. Our average sodium intake is frighteningly higher than it should be. The recommended sodium intake? Only 2,300 mg (about 1 tspn.) and below 1,500 for those with high blood pressure. Even though we know how much sodium per day is healthy, we can’t seem to give up our salty tooth!

We love salt because it gives so much flavor but our bodies hate when we exceed our recommended daily sodium intake because it causes a plethora of health problems. We’re talking hypertension, heart disease, heart attack, stroke, kidney failure, bloating and other health problems. We need sodium daily but not at the amounts we currently consume. A healthy sodium intake is beneficial but beyond that it becomes detrimental.

Hypertension (high blood pressure) is the most common result of high sodium intake. Often, there are no symptoms.

Symptoms that may occur include:

• Chest pain
• Nosebleeds
• Noise in the ears
• Changes in vision
• Confusion
• Tiredness
• Irregular heartbeat

An assessment of pain may be your best tool to identify your specific problem and ensure sufficient treatment.  Be sure to do your research about current techniques and find a good diet plan and exercise program to improve your condition.

Surprisingly, our sodium intake is not through the roof because of using the salt shaker too much. The real culprit? All of the processed and restaurant foods we eat so much of. Eek! An astronomical 77 percent of the sodium that we are consuming is from those two sources, while 12 percent is naturally occurring and a mere 5 percent we add to our foods ourselves.

Salt traps:

Cereals

Salad Dressings

Processed Lunch Meats

Soups

Processed Cheeses

Snack Foods

Canned Foods

Stick to fresh vegetables, fruits and whole grains to ensure you’re getting adequate nutrition and to reduce sodium intake.