We Don’t Know What We’re Looking At
Just because the label says its low in sodium, doesn’t mean it’s also low in salt. In fact, one of the reasons why a majority of our population has high blood pressure is our failure to understand and read labels.
Here is what the labels really mean:
Sodium-free or salt-free. This product contains less than 5mg of sodium per serving.
Very low sodium. This product contains 35mg of sodium or less.
Reduced or less sodium. This product contains 25% less sodium than the regular version. It’s important that you still check the label to see how much sodium is in each serving.
Lite or light in sodium. The sodium content has been reduced by 50% compared to the regular version. Again, it’s important to check the label to see how much sodium is in each serving.
Unsalted or no salt added. No salt is added during the processing of this product. This doesn’t mean, however, that this product doesn’t contain any sodium. It’s important that you check the ingredients, because some of these may still be high in sodium.
Change Your Habits
If you are fearful that your salt consumption is taking over your diet, it’s important that you change some of your “dining” habits.
For starters, don’t bring the salt shaker to the table. If you are going to season your foods, use healthier alternatives, such as garlic, pepper, chives, ground bay leaves, or basil.
If you like to eat out, limit this to once every week, and pay close attention to the foods on the menu. Not only will you be helping your health, but you’ll save money in the process.
Reference
Bistro MD
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