It's hardly a secret that excess salt can be tough on our hearts, especially if we have high blood pressure or other heart issues. But, did you know that it can also impact your hydration level & cause temporary gains from fluid retention (aka bloating).
Although tasting food before adding salt at the table can help, it isn't the primary problem. We often don't realize how much salt is actually in many common foods we eat! Here are some examples (&, when possible, a few comparisons...).
Although tasting food before adding salt at the table can help, it isn't the primary problem. We often don't realize how much salt is actually in many common foods we eat! Here are some examples (&, when possible, a few comparisons...).
Soy Sauce: 900-1300mg per tablespoon (tbsp)
Reduced Sodium Soy Sauce: 390mg per tbsp
(BTW, this is probably far less than the average person might use...)
(BTW, this is probably far less than the average person might use...)
Raisin Bran: 200-350mg per serving
Cheese:
- 1 slice American cheese: 250mg (non-fat is slightly higher)
- 1/4 cup shredded Cheddar or low-fat Cheddar: 175mg
- 1/4 cup shredded whole-milk mozzarella: 175mg (vs. low-fat: 200mg or non-fat: 210mg)
Tomato Sauce:
- Canned: 300-650mg per serving
- Glass Jar: 320-520mg per serving
(The average person usually eats more than 1 serving of pasta at a sitting so we're likely consuming more than one serving of sauce, too.)
The current recommendation is a maximum of 2,300mg of salt per day (although experts are considering lowering this amount). Those with heart issues are urged to aim for 1,200 - 1,500mg.
For more information, check out our blog post from 2/21/12 & WebMD's Salt Shockers.
For tips on dealing with an uncomfortably salty meal, check out Bloat Busters. ***NOTE: If you have health issues, please consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before trying these tips.***
As you can see above, our daily totals quickly add up. But, don't despair... You aren't destined for an eternity of bland food. Next week, we'll talk about tasty, salt-free ways to spice up food!
(The average person usually eats more than 1 serving of pasta at a sitting so we're likely consuming more than one serving of sauce, too.)
The current recommendation is a maximum of 2,300mg of salt per day (although experts are considering lowering this amount). Those with heart issues are urged to aim for 1,200 - 1,500mg.
For more information, check out our blog post from 2/21/12 & WebMD's Salt Shockers.
For tips on dealing with an uncomfortably salty meal, check out Bloat Busters. ***NOTE: If you have health issues, please consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before trying these tips.***
As you can see above, our daily totals quickly add up. But, don't despair... You aren't destined for an eternity of bland food. Next week, we'll talk about tasty, salt-free ways to spice up food!
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