In celebration of American Heart Month, we’d like to discuss sodium, which has been a hot topic in the health community for quite some time now. The average intake of sodium in the United States is 3,400 mg a day, which is way more than the body needs to function properly. Three major functions of sodium are to help maintain the right balance of fluids in your body, to aid in the transmission of nerve impulses, and to balance the contraction and relaxation of muscles. The 2015 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend limiting sodium to less than 2,300 mg a day.
As many of us already know, there can be serious consequences to consuming too much sodium in your diet. Increased sodium intake causes water retention leading to increased blood pressure, which could lead to heart disease, kidney disease and congestive heart failure. Therefore, it’s important to keep your sodium consumption under control. It’s vital that as a consumer you become knowledgeable about which foods are typically high in sodium. Many processed foods, such as cured or smoked meats, have a high sodium content. Additionally, packaged food like olives, anchovies, and pickles are high as well. You also have to watch out for added salt in dressings and sauces and snack foods like chips and crackers.
There are a few important ways to help to decrease your sodium intake. First, don’t use the salt shaker, try to use herbs and spices to flavor your food. One teaspoon of salt contains 2,300 mg of sodium! When eating fruits and vegetables choose fresh, frozen, or canned without added salt. When grocery shopping, look for items that say low sodium or no salt added. Lastly, always read the Nutrition Facts label carefully for the sodium amount per serving.
Fresh ‘n Fit Cuisine knows how important it is to be health conscious. Our menus will help you reach your health goals, including keeping your sodium intake under control. Our menus have a sodium level of less than 1,500 mg. Try us today and save 10% off your first order with promo code BLOG10.
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