Nutrition 26 May 2007 12:14 am
May
This week I will share some tips to help you make healthy food and beverage choices.
So, we are at the end of another week. You have plans to hit the dance club tonight, followed by a mellow lounge and then who knows what next. But before you head out, you cook a healthy meal so that you can continue with your good nutrition. Unexpectedly, the meal seems a bit bland. What should you do? A: Keep eating because the meal tastes good anyways. B: Poor copius amounts of hot sauce on your meal. C: Add some salt to the meal. The choice is yours, but I want to make a few comments about salt (I would choose A).
As you know, salt contains sodium. Sodium acts an electrolyte in the body and assists in the maintenance of the acid/base balance and is essential to nerve transmission and muscle contraction. In general, foods contain adequate amounts of sodium, especially processed foods. Approximately 75% of a person’s sodium comes from processed foods. The remainder comes from what you add to your food and that which is naturally in food itself. About 10% of your sodium comes from that which is naturally found in food. So the salt you add to your food will provide the remaining 15% of your sodium needs. Based on this ratio, you should use salt sparing as you cook and season your food. Excess salt intake can lead to hypertension (high blood pressure).
Now you have the facts. Manage your salt intake wisely and enjoy the weekend! DO SOMETHIN’!
***information source: Macrobolic Nutrition by Gerard Dente with Kevin J. Hopkins