Salt is a common ingredient in many foods and you might find it hard to imagine cooking without it. However, its prevalence in foods is precisely why it’s estimated that nine out of ten Americans consume more sodium than they need. Given the link between excess sodium and health issues, it’s a good idea to explore how you can reduce the amount of salt in your diet. With these changes, you won’t even miss it.
RELATED: 6 Things That Happen to Your Body When You Consume Too Much Salt
10 Easy Ways To Reduce Your Salt Consumption
1. Reduce High-Salt Foods
Salt is often used as a preservative and seasoning in processed foods so reducing how much you eat is a great way to cut the salt in your diet. Common processed foods include deli meats such as turkey, sausages, and pepperoni. Instant meals like noodles usually have a lot of salt as well.
2. Look For Low-Salt Options
Many condiments and all-purpose seasonings are hiding more salt than you think. You can avoid the high sodium content by looking for low-salt options when you go shopping. If you’re not sure about what should have that option, do some research when writing your list.
You May Also Like
3. Opt For Fresh Foods
Cooking from scratch is a great way to control how much salt you consume. That means choosing fresh vegetables, lean meats, seafood, and chicken instead of pre-prepared foods.
RELATED: How to Tell If Your Body Isn’t Absorbing Salt Properly
4. Put The Salt Shaker Away
It’s common to have a salt shaker on the table at home or in restaurants. The problem is that it encourages you to add salt to food without tasting it. Additionally, the more salt you eat, the less you’ll notice when something is too salty. Cutting back can help to reset your tastebuds.
5. Ask For Less Salt At Restaurants
While it’s easier to manage your salt consumption by cooking at home, you might not be able to avoid eating out occasionally. It’s a good idea to ask for less salt in your meals when that happens.
6. Be Mindful When Cooking
When preparing meals, take note of how much unnecessary salt you may be adding. For example, skipping the salt when cooking pasta can make a difference if you’re going to add other ingredients later.
You May Also Like
7. Enhance Your Meal’s Flavors
Ingredients like apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, balsamic vinegar, and nutritional yeast can be used to enhance the natural flavors in your meals without adding any salt.
8. Use Different Spices
There is a whole range of natural herbs and spices that can add flavor to your meals. Many of them also have
