Why does the average American consume 3,400mg of sodium a day?? For flavor of course! “Just a pinch can go a long way” so they say. However, by America’s preferred taste, so can a handful. Did you know sodium (aka: salt) is one of the main causes of high blood pressure? By all means this blog isn’t meant to scare anyone away from salt, but to reveal salt in a new light.[1]
A person’s recommended daily salt intake is less than 2,300 mg a day. That equals one teaspoon of salt a day. Many people aren’t aware of their daily salt intake. Why should they care? High blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke are all possible consequences. How to change this sneaky cycle? Start paying attention to the foods you are eating each day. This is just an experiment; the next time you go to the grocery store make a pit stop in the frozen dinner aisle. Take a look at the sodium amount on the nutrition label. Most of the time you will find that sodium is incredibly high. Why: Flavor and preservatives.
After discovering I was sodium sensitive, I’ve found in various labeled “low in sodium” processed foods were either higher in Sugar or higher in fat. Why: again flavor and preservatives. Salt is okay to consume in moderation but you will also need to watch your sugar and fat intake as well. Finding food products lower in sugar, sodium, and fat may seem time consuming and expensive. In the long run it will improve your well being and may even save your life.
Processed foods aren’t only found in the grocery store, surprisingly in restaurants. Fast food chain menu items are PACKED full of preservatives. If you don’t believe me, watch these videos called “Super Size Me” & “Food Inc.”. Also if you are an avid YouTube clip watcher, watch these clips called “McDonald’s Food- The Truth”[2] & “How to Make Chicken Nuggets by Jaime Oliver”[3] After you see these videos, you’ll want to know what are these company’s doing to your body for the almighty dollar! Fast food chains aren’t only the culprit for selling fast food for the almighty dollar, but also sit down restaurants. For example; most people may think ordering a salad is healthy but in reality your salad dressing, croutons, candied nuts, cheeses, fruits, dried fruits, or any other salad topping is more than likely processed and packed full of salt, sugar, and fat.
Americans are always on the go, time and money is limited. Like a consumer at a grocery store, many restaurants are crunched for time as well as on a budget (aka: food costs). Naturally they turn to processed foods because these food products are usually pre-cooked. This makes prep time for a restaurant cut in half; there for less time for the consumer have to wait for a quick, cheap, and easy meal. However, is quick, cheap, and easy good for you?? Cheap food may seem like a great deal, but do you really know what you are paying for when you order fast food products? More than likely people don’t take the time to find out or they simply don’t care, but THEY SHOULD!! Parts of bone, bits of innards, watery beef mixed with soy, bits of leftover meat, food dye (to make it look appealing), high amounts of preservatives, and seasonings (containing high amounts of salt) for flavor. Those are just some examples of the things most fast food chains are doing, doesn’t that sound appetizing? Seriously, watch the clips I have described and you ask yourself; is quick, cheap, & easy really good for you? If you aren’t persuaded, go buy you a fast food meal, and how do you feel after your body has processed the food? Would you continue to buy fast food? Would you buy fast food every day? Let me know what you think in the comment section below.
If you can afford to buy fast food every day, you are only buying yourself a one way ticket to the Dr’s or even a $3,000 trip to the ER. Being hooked up to an EKG machine and being monitored by the hospital staff isn’t only embarrassing, it’s scary! I’ve been there! I’m urging more people to start cooking at home and buy more organic pre-made products, like Kashi. If you go out to eat at a sit down restaurant, keep in mind, you can alter your order to however you like. It may seem a little strange at first, especially when eliminating some of the food items that comes with your meal. However In the long run, you are doing yourself a favor! I have raised many eyebrows when altering my order at restaurants, but I keep in mind I’m doing this for my health. When the servers ask me why or how weird my order is. I actually find it offensive, because it shouldn’t matter the way I order something. I’m a paying customer and shouldn’t matter how I want my food ordered. But that is what you will have to deal with, so don’t feel embarrassed. Just think how the hunger will no longer be there and how great you will feel afterwards.
Before I wrap up this blog I would like to settle the myth about Sea Salt. Yeah, sea salt may be more natural than sodium chloride (aka: table salt). Sea salt is natural but doesn’t mean it is healthier for you; actually Iodized salt is. “What is Iodized salt?” You may ask. Salt that contains the chemical element Iodine, which is needed by the thyroid gland in your body. If Iodine is not present in your body, a person may suffer from an Iodine deficiency called goiter. Goiter is the swelling of the thyroid gland. Goiter is rare in the United States but is epidemic usually in areas away from the seacoast and in countries where salt is not fortified with iodine. However goiter can still occur if Iodine is not present in your diet.[4]
Foods containing Iodine:
- Seafood
- Cod
- Sea bass
- Haddock
- Perch
- Kelp
- Dairy products
- Plants grown in soil rich in iodine
Thanks for reading my blog
The Rogue Foodie!! <3
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