Fitness and Salt

Sodium chloride is found naturally in many foods and is essential for a healthy body. But with the passage of time, particularly with the popularity of convenience and 'junk' foods, our consumption of salt - and our taste for it - has increased beyond what most experts consider healthy.

On average we consume about 12g a day; ordinary individuals need no more than 3-5g. If you live in a hot climate, work in a particularly physical job, or exercise regularly, you may require a little extra, though 12g is still more than anyone requires. Excess salt has been shown to be linked to high blood pressure and may also affect the efficient function of the kidneys. Certainly it does hamper waste elimination, bloating the body with retained water.

In order to cut down on salt intake, first remove salt containers from the table. Don't encourage the unthinking sprinkling of salt over food that many people indulge in. Next, try cutting salt out of most of your cooking. You will probably want to continue adding a pinch of salt to your cooking water for potatoes, pasta and rice, but make it as little as possible. Forego adding salt to vegetables as they cook, or to fish, meat or poultry. Experiment more with fresh herbs and spices - part of the modern passion for salt is little more than bored taste-buds! A simple dash of cayenne and pepper will add a quick, healthy fillip if salt still seems lacking. But you'll be surprised at how soon you will become accustomed to the 'real' taste of food without salt. Remember it's just that salt has become the MSG of the occidental table!

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