Assault the Salt in Your Diet

Experts have already told us that excessive salt in your diet can lead to high blood pressure and an increased risk for stroke or a heart attack. Despite these facts, Americans continue to consume too much salt in their daily diets.

The issue has become so prevelant that the American Heart Association, the American Dietetic Association, the American Medical Association and the U.S. National Institutes of Health have joined forces to launch a campaign designed to cut the salt intake of Americans in half. In fact, the American Medical Association is even urging the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to withdraw salt's "safe" designation.

The recommended FDA limit for salt is 2,400 mg daily while the Institute of Medicine recommends no more than 1,500 mg daily. However, the average American consumes between 4,000 to 6,000 mg of salt each day.

Consider the following ways to minimize your salt intake for improved health:

• read labels and identify food with a high sodium content so you can eliminate them from your diet;
• make sure your salt intake does not exceed 1,500 to 2,400 mg daily;
• use herbs and spices to season your food at home rather than salt;
• ask for unsalted menu selections when you are dining out;
• take salt out of the recipes you make at home;
• and remove the salt shaker from your kitchen or dining room table.

By limiting the salt in your diet, you can avoid high blood pressure, stroke and heart disease related to the excessive consumption of salt.