salt

How often do you see or how often do you grab that salt shaker and start pouring salt all over your food as soon as the plate is set in front of you?  Sodium intake in our nation is extremely too high.  Did you know that the recommended amount of sodium intake per day is less then 2,300 milligrams, which only equals 1 teaspoon? (*Note. Daily Value used on food labels is based off 2,400 milligrams).

Sodium plays a vital role in our bodies by helping maintain acid-base balance and it is essential to nerve impulse transmission and muscle contraction.  However, too much sodium makes our bodies hold on to fluid and to pump the added fluid, the heart has to work harder which over years of doing this puts an extreme strain on our heart. Also, too much salt can worsen symptoms like swelling and shortness of breath and cause weight gain.  A diet high in salt has been linked to very serious health conditions including high blood pressure, hypertension, and heart disease.

The Today Show posted an article with the 20 Saltiest Foods in America.  They compiled a top 20 list of foods (or dishes) found in restaurants across our nation.  Their list is posted below.

20. Saltiest Side Dish
Denny’s Honey Smoked Ham, grilled slice. 1,700 mg sodium, 85 calories

19. Saltiest Dessert
Atlanta Bread Company Raspberry Scone. 1,750 mg sodium, 360 calories

18. Saltiest Soup
Baja Fresh Chicken Tortilla Soup. 2,760 mg sodium, 320 calories