Shake Sodium Off the Menu
Experts Offer Tips to Help Americans Cut Added Salt Out of Their Diet
-- More than 95 percent of American men and 75 percent of women consume well over the federal government's existing recommendation of 2,300 mg of sodium per day.(1) Now more than ever Americans are becoming aware of this dietary hazard and are focusing on reducing their sodium intake to meet recommended levels. Unfortunately, consumers can't just measure the amount of sodium they're taking in by the amount they're shaking out of a salt shaker. Experts say that restaurant-goers and grocery-shopping consumers who are pinched for time need to be conscious of the hidden salts lurking in both packaged and prepared food.
Americans are being urged to shake the salt habit, but that doesn't mean that they need to deprive themselves of flavorful, delicious meals. The Mrs. Dash® brand, makers of salt-free Seasoning Blends and Marinades, is helping to educate Americans about the hidden hazards of salt and how cutting back can play a role in preventing diseases of the heart and arteries.
Too much salt can lead to high blood pressure or hypertension in some people,(2) which afflicts one in three American adults.(3) It also is a major risk factor for developing stroke and heart disease,(4) the first and third leading causes of death for both men and women respectively.(5)
"Salt is hidden in so many foods and most people simply aren't aware of how much they're actually consuming on a daily basis," said Tracey Carlyle, MS, RD, LDN. "There are many ways you can eliminate salt from your diet without depriving yourself of great taste."
Discover the Flavor
Salt can be found where you least expect it and while some food companies are just beginning to pay more attention to the sodium level of their products, brands like Mrs. Dash have been providing consumers with salt-free products for years. Products such as Mrs. Dash Seasoning Blends and 10-Minute Marinades are salt-free with no MSG, and help Americans shake the salt habit without sacrificing flavor.
Carlyle suggests Americans manage their taste for salt by using the following tips:
-- Pantry Makeover - Start fresh by giving your pantry a makeover. Read nutrition labels to check sodium content and toss items with high-sodium content or select the lowest sodium version. -- Switch the Shaker - Replace the salt shaker on your table with a salt- free seasoning blend, like Mrs. Dash, as one way to reduce sodium consumption. -- Soup's On - Cook with low-sodium, fat-free broths and add flavor with salt-free seasoning blends to limit the amount of salt in your meal. -- Parties in a Pinch - Pre-made marinades or seasonings like taco mix or chili sauce are quick and easy -- but they can also be loaded with salt and MSG. Flavor foods with new Mrs. Dash 10-Minute Marinades, which are great for dips, sauces and side dishes. -- Rinse Away Sodium - Rinse canned beans and vegetables, which washes away 40 percent of the naturally occurring sodium.(6)For a flavorful, low-sodium meal, try serving Cajun Grilled Chicken by combining chicken and lemon juice in a bowl, turning the chicken until it is thoroughly coated. Next, add a mixture of Mrs. Dash® Extra Spicy, paprika, and brown sugar to each piece of chicken until it's thoroughly coated. Grill the chicken breasts, turning every five minutes until juices run clear.
Visit www.mrsdash.com to find hundreds of other delicious, low-salt recipes.
About the Mrs. Dash Brand
The Mrs. Dash brand has sold the number-one salt-free seasoning blend since the 1980s. Mrs. Dash Seasoning Blends are available in 12 flavors and Mrs. Dash 10-Minute Marinades are available in 4 flavorful varieties. Every product from Mrs. Dash is made with a unique combination of 14 natural herbs and spices, with no salt and no MSG. Visit www.mrsdash.com to explore an interactive recipe database filled with hundreds of delicious, low-salt recipes.
(1)http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/category/16413.html (AMA) (2)http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3009412 (American Heart Association) (3)http://my.webmd.com/content/article/70/81079.htm (WebMD) (4)http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3024254 (American Heart Association) (5)http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/factsheets/ChronicDisease/louisiana.htm (Center for Disease Control) (6)Canned Food Alliance
