This week we want to highlight an easy practice that won’t cost you a penny, reduce your salt intake!  Salt is everywhere, its in soda, processed foods, canned foods, and even milk. Although we can’t reduce what foods and drinks have salt in them, we can reduce our consumption of them.  By keeping track for even just a few days, you’ll get an idea of where you are at on the consumption scale, and see how much change is needed. Be aware, read labels and monitor your sodium intake, your heart will be happy you did!

Note:  According to Dietary Guidelins obtained from The Mayo Clinic, healthy adults should not consumer more than 2,300mg of sodium per day.  That number decreases to 1,500mg if you have high blood pressure, kidney disease, or diabetes.

Each day, as the typical American wakes up and begins to consume foods and beverages, the salt content begins to climb.  Our beverages, meals in a box (or a can), and restaurant foods are the major culprits.  By the end of the day, our average intake is much to high.  The symptoms are typically not felt as an adverse effect by us, and so the we continue on without knowing until a major event occurs.

Food producers are pushing back, claiming that a reduction in salt would hurt their business because these products wouldn’t have as much taste.  What do you think?  Should the FDA regulate salt content in foods in the interest of public health?