11 to 17 March is World Salt Awareness Week.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) suggests consuming 2 grams of salt per day, and the American Heart Association advises a much lower intake 1.5 grams per day. That’s a tiny pinch to use in the food you eat all day. Are you aware of how much salt you consume every day?
CONSUMING TOO MUCH SALT
CAN BE DANGEROUS BECAUSE:
- It can lead to high blood pressure and heart disease
- It can cause stomach cancer
- It can damage your kidneys and cause kidney stones
SALT, IN MODERATION, IS GOOD FOR YOU BECAUSE:
- It helps manage blood sugar levels
- It can help maintain the right level of acidity in your stomach
- It assists the nerves and muscles to function properly
- It acts as a natural antihistamine to help prevent allergic reactions
While a diet that’s too low in salt can also have negative side-effects, it’s virtually impossible to avoid salt in the foods we consume on a daily basis. Most foods have salts hidden inside them, which makes it difficult to limit your salt intake.
TIPS TO MANAGE YOUR SALT INTAKE:
Salt is used to preserve foods in cans and jars. When eating canned foods, where possible, try to rinse it under the tap to wash away extra salt
Avoid processed foods, and try to buy fresh meat, fruit and vegetables, as dried goods tend to be higher in salt.
Instead of reaching for the saltshaker, find other ways to add flavour to your food – like herbs and spices.
Read the nutritional information on your food, and check that it doesn’t contain a lot of salt per serving.
Potassium can balance out the bad effects of salt. So, try to eat foods that are high in potassium like bananas, plain yogurt, sweet potatoes, spinach, tomatoes and white beans.
Remember!
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