January 18, 2010

So Simple a Busy Mommy Can Do It

Here is another lesson in a healthy diet brought to you by moi.

A normal adult requires 500 mg of sodium per day. Sodium, in small amounts, regulates our blood pressure, helps our muscles contract, and helps balance our bodily fluids and pH levels.

You can get 500mg of sodium in 1/4 teaspoon of table salt!

Most people do not realize how much salt they consume on a daily basis. It is reported that the average American eats 4000-6000 mg of sodium per day.

Too much sodium leads to high blood pressure, which can cause heart attack, stroke, and heart failure, among other things.

In my family...

We read labels.

We try to stay away from pre-packaged foods. (You would be amazed and disgusted at how much sodium is in some of those frozen meals you are buying!)

We use sea salt instead of table salt.

We always buy the "no salt added" choice. Most canned goods have a no salt added option, as do a lot of other things these days.

Last week I accidentally bought a regular carton of chicken broth instead of the sodium-free broth. When I compared the two, I was amazed at the difference:






Making conscious choices about what foods you choose to purchase is the simplest way to a healthy diet. Anyone can easily make these choices and your body will thank you for years!

14 comments:

-stephanie- said...

I am not one to add salt to anything. If I need to use it, I use sea salt. Good for you to want a healthy family.

Wow, that's quite the difference in sodium on those labels.

Easton wife said...

We do the exact same :) sea salt and low sodium. B has high bp and it is a must. Great post!

Summer said...

Hi Stephanie,
I found your blog through by BFF Lesli! I love your blog design by the way! Super cute! I am thinking about getting one soon :0)!

Thanks for the advise on healthy choices and sodium....

Your girls are just too stinkin cute by the way....
Look forward to reading more about ya....
Summer :0)

Brandi said...

Wow that is amazing! I'm definitely going to have to pay closer attention to labels.

BTW, something for you at my blog. ;)

Holly said...

It is amazing, really!! I know that I want to start making my own meals to take to work. It'll be better for me and cheaper!

jennohara said...

Whoa! What a difference the low-sodium choice can make!

Tiffany Lockette said...

Looking forward to cutting back on my sodium. Thanks for the info.

Angela @ Nine More Months said...

Wow! I usually buy low or no sodium, but I never realized how much of a difference there really was.

Lesli said...

Thanks Brandi for the information, we really need to eat more healthy.. I loved your post about the oatmeal and yogurt.. my kids are addicted to the flavored oatmeal and I know i need to make a change! Thanks so much for sharing with us!

amanda said...

absolutely!! that's why i'm also glad i found wildtree. :0) eating healthy CAN be easy...you just have to work a little to notice those simple things. :0)

Shelley said...

I am always looking for low-sodium products when I can!

New follower from "Friday Follow"! Love for you to come visit me!

Have a great weekend :)

Mass Hole Mommy said...

Hi there! Here from the Friday follow :)

Amber Page Writes said...

Now that is a great tip. 570 mg in broth? Yikes. I'll be more conscious from now on...

Here from Friday FOllow!

Bridgett said...

We do the same thing!
We choose low salt options and also use sea salt.

Honestly, salt has never been a huge problem for me (except when it comes to potato chips). But I'm not one of those people who salt everything I eat.

Oh, I use the same brand of broth, btw. :)

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