This post contains a small portion of this article. Read the full article here.
Excessive salt consumption has been linked to diabetes, kidney disorders, high blood pressure and heart disease, according to Serena Poon, a celebrity chef and nutritionist based in Los Angeles. Therefore, you want to be mindful of how much you are eating. If you feel like you may be consuming too much salt, you may want to attempt to reduce how much sodium you ingest.
Our excessive salt consumption often is just a habit, Poon said. “Many times, the craving for salt stems from a behavioral foundation,” she said. “We crave salt just out of habit or conditioning.”
If you are yearning for salty foods, she recommended first opting for whole foods that are higher in a natural sodium content, such as celery, leafy greens, carrots or seaweed.
You can also use herbs and spices instead of salt, said Kimberly Gomer, director of nutrition with Pritikin Longevity Center, a health and wellness spa in Miami. “At the beginning it can be tough, but your palate will adjust,” she said.
