With the cold weather still lingering
around us, nothing sounds better than making a nice cup of hot soup for lunch
or dinner to warm you up. Not to mention that the food companies make it very
convenient for you to heat up a quick cup of soup in the microwave or stove.
around us, nothing sounds better than making a nice cup of hot soup for lunch
or dinner to warm you up. Not to mention that the food companies make it very
convenient for you to heat up a quick cup of soup in the microwave or stove.
Have you ever had a minute to take a look and see what is in your soup? Most
cans of soups tend to be jam packed with a mineral called sodium. Sodium (also
known as salt) is an essential mineral for our bodies but if we consume too
much of it then it can lead to high blood pressure, stroke, kidney disease, or
heart disease.
cans of soups tend to be jam packed with a mineral called sodium. Sodium (also
known as salt) is an essential mineral for our bodies but if we consume too
much of it then it can lead to high blood pressure, stroke, kidney disease, or
heart disease.
Many foods that we eat contain sodiumbecause it is naturally present. Other foods such as processed foods have added
salt in them to preserve the food item. An example of this would be canned soup
or frozen dinners you find the freezer aisle at the grocery stores. Sodium is
needed in our body to help maintain the balance of body fluids and help nerves
and muscles work properly. We do need to get our sodium intake but in
moderation. Aim for no more than 2,300 mg of sodium per day. Some people may
even need to consume less than that. If you are middle aged or older or have
high blood pressure then you should aim to get at the most 1,500 mg of sodium
per day.
Here are a few tips to help you lower your sodium.
–
Buy fresh,
frozen, or no salt added canned vegetables
Buy fresh,
frozen, or no salt added canned vegetables
–
Choose foods
labeled low sodium, no salt added, or sodium free
Choose foods
labeled low sodium, no salt added, or sodium free
–
Do not add salt
to the water when cooking beans, rice, pasta, or vegetables
Do not add salt
to the water when cooking beans, rice, pasta, or vegetables
–
Cut back on meats
high in sodium such as ham, hot dogs, and sausage
Cut back on meats
high in sodium such as ham, hot dogs, and sausage
–
Cut back on
consuming canned soups unless they are listed as low sodium
Cut back on
consuming canned soups unless they are listed as low sodium
–
Fill your salt
shaker with a mix of herbs and spices to use instead of salt to help give your
food some flavor
Fill your salt
shaker with a mix of herbs and spices to use instead of salt to help give your
food some flavor
Remember that we still do need to
consume sodium so don’t cut it off your menu completely. It is all about the
moderation!
consume sodium so don’t cut it off your menu completely. It is all about the
moderation!
Blog post by Krista Post.
