Sodium in Processed Food

[tinker]

I think the impact of all the salt in processed foods is way understated. Plus, all that extra sugar and salt tends to mask true flavor. Probably one of the best reasons to cook it yourself. Any thoughts or stories to share?

[spiceplace]

I agree with you tinker. All of those foods that state no preservatives are only talking about the complex chemical preservatives like BHA, and BHT. But salt and sugar have been used forever as a preservative.

I can't handle a Virginia ham no matter how long you try to soak them to get the salt out.

Everyone loves salt as a seasoning, it's a natural taste and so people don't tend to associate it as a preservative any more. But 300 years ago it was probably the leading food preservative. These days it's the non-preservative preservative.

[khartman]

We tossed the salt shaker years ago and we only buy the salt free vegatables in cans, or the frozen vegetable, since they don't need the salt added. We prefer the frozen vegetable over the canned anyway, so we mostly but frozen veggies.

That doesn't solve the canned food issue for tomato sauce, and diced tomatoes. We only buy the low soduim variaties of those like Muir Glen.

[ainjel]

You know, I have to admit I'm kind of a salt addict. My compromise is that I only put salt on food after I have tasted it. Slowly I've cut down on my salt intake. I did start being a pain at McD's though and ask for unsalted fries. It gets you fresh ones, too. : )

[r8rpwr]

I agree, the more processed the food is, the greater the sodium. Yet another reason to cook it fresh!

I'm a saltaholic too, but I don't salt my food at the table very much. I guess I'm just drawn to foods that are salty anyway. I would much rather snack on some chips than cookies, for instance.

[pinkperson]

Salt has been used in all parts of the world since forever. Maybe that's why people don't get to notice how pervasive and often its use is--they're very used to it. Some people can be really cranky and would describe a food bland if it has no salt in it.

[sarahlorrain]

I agree, the overuse of salt these days is a huge problem. I'm trying to cut down my families intake. I stopped buying regular salt and now buy the salt with 1/2 the sodium. I think next time I will buy the no-salt seasoning that is supposed to taste like salt.

[Semigourmet]

do you have some good ways to keep sodium down in your own foods? I like to use Sea salt, and extra herbs and veggies to mask the missing salt. What do you do?

[aeiou]

I'm a saltaholic as well. I have switched to only using Sea Salt because it is better for you since it is just seawater evaporated without any of the chemicals used in mining regular table salt. It also has a less salty taste than regular table salt. You also use less since the sea salt granulars are usually larger than the fine grains of table salt. Since my husband does not use salt I add the salt after the food is cooked which is better for preserving the beneficial minerals of the sea salt.

[oldbay]

I haven't touched a salt shaker in 20 years so you saltaholics can change. You're getting plenty of salt through regular foods you eat like ketchup and pickles. Toss out the salt shaker while salt tastes good to us it make use retain water and may cause yet unknown troubles since it's only recently that were usings alt in such quantities.