Cut the Salt!

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends that adults and children should limit their consumption of sodium (salt) to about one teaspoon a day. Too much salt can place you at a higher risk of diabetes, high blood pressure or chronic kidney disease. The salt you use at the dinner table is not the biggest sodium contributor in the American diet. Did you know that more than 70% of a person’s salt intake comes from restaurants or processed foods?

Follow these tips from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics to cut the salt in your diet:

• Fill up on fresh fruits and vegetables and skip the processed foods.
• Cook at home more often to have control of how much salt is added to your food. Remember to rinse canned vegetables to reduce the amount of salt.
• Use salt-free seasonings such as herbs, spices, garlic, vinegar, black pepper or lemon juice.
• Always read food labels and buy “low sodium,” “reduced sodium” or “no salt added” products.