Have you ever thought while taking a bite of your favorite dish, “Hmm, maybe just a pinch of salt would make this even better?” Well, you’re not alone. For many of us, that last dash of salt seems like an easy way to enhance the taste of our food. And we do it not only with our everyday meals, but also with our fruits and salads. But, is adding salt to our food really a good habit? It makes our food taste better but does it harm our body more than we think? If you have these and other questions about sodium, you’ve come to the right place! Let’s find out if this habit is doing your body good or bad.
Also read: 15 Incredible Benefits of Rock Salt for Skin, Hair & Overall Health
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What happens when you eat too much salt?
If you consume too much salt on a daily basis, it can have several long-term effects on your body. The most common side effect is an increase in blood pressure – where blood is being pushed forcefully against the artery walls. Some other common symptoms include multiple sclerosis, heart disease, headaches, enlargement of muscle tissue, damage to organs, kidney stones, osteoporosis, etc. A very obvious side effect of consuming too much salt is water retention in the body, which can lead to swelling in certain parts of the body.
Should you add salt to your food?
Yes, you can. According to nutritionist Amita Gadre (@amitagadre), adding salt to your food won’t cause any problem. However, it is important to ensure that you don’t eat foods that are too salty or salty to control your total sodium intake for the day. Many times, we add salt while cooking ingredients to speed up the process and prevent burning. For example: while cooking onions. The expert says that it is perfectly fine to add salt to your food to enhance its taste.
How much salt is appropriate to consume per day?
According to experts, it is important to pay attention to your salt intake throughout the day. Make sure you eat only 1 teaspoon (5 grams) of salt a day, not more than that. This is because you get sodium from other foods too, not just from the extra salt you add to your food.
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How to reduce salt intake on a daily basis?
You can easily reduce salt consumption by changing your daily habits. Follow these easy tips to control salt intake.
1. Avoid processed foods
Ready-to-eat packaged snacks available in the market these days are high in salt. The amount of salt in these food products is unhealthy which makes them tasty but is extremely harmful for us. Instead of buying salty snacks, try eating healthier options like fruits, nuts and seeds.
2. Limit the consumption of pickles, papad and chutney
Pickles, papad and chutney enhance the taste of food but they contain a lot of salt. If you include them in your daily diet, keep the amount of salt in your food low and compensate for it with spices.
3. Cook at home
Not only will it be pocket-friendly, but cooking at home will help you control your salt intake. Instead of using salt directly, you can use herbs and spices to make them nutritious and more delicious. Try using spices instead of salt the next time you are cooking.
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4. Eat low-sodium fruits and vegetables
Another way to reduce salt intake is to eat low-sodium fruits and vegetables. Fruits and vegetables like apples, berries, oranges, mangoes, broccoli, sweet potatoes, okra, etc. should be included in your daily diet as they have low sodium levels.
5. Read food labels
Read labels carefully before buying food. Make sure you buy and eat low-sodium foods so you can control your daily salt intake. Start by reducing the salt in your daily meals and slowly your taste buds will become resistant to this change.
Also read: Is your table salt healthy to eat? Find out here
