Don't be afraid of seasoning your food!
One of the biggest concerns clients often have when we work together is if they are eating too much salt.
They’re concerned about salt raising their blood pressure, or keeping it high while their doctor told them they need to get it down.
They’re concerned about too much sodium causing damage to their kidneys or leading to kidney stones.
These are both legitimate concerns and things that should be taken seriously! Heart and kidney health is no joke.
But the honest truth is that villainizing salt doesn’t really hold up in court.
It’s another case of decades-old health advice not keeping up with current science.
I’ll caveat all of this with mentioning that everyone is individual, and each person’s health history and salt needs are their own.
That said, there is little scientific evidence to show that reducing salt intake improves cardiovascular events or death. Additionally, limiting salt intake may increase the risk of high blood pressure.
Likewise, studies show that low salt intake can damage the kidneys, and that otherwise healthy kidneys can process and get rid of a pretty large amount of sodium without any issues.
This is all to say we actually need salt!
I realize that this flies in the face of established health orthodoxy that we have been told by our doctors for decades. But if not salt, what is the true culprit behind hypertension and kidney disease?
Sugar.
Our high consumption of sugar in this country, and the insulin resistance that comes along with it, creates chronic inflammation leading to damage to the kidneys and contributing to high blood pressure.
We’ve talked a lot about how sugar in our diets leads to chronic blood sugar imbalances and insulin resistance, causing energy crashes, brain fog, weight gain and a host of modern diseases.
But we’re talkin’ bout salt.
Eating a nutritious diet of whole foods, you shouldn’t have to worry much about too much salt to begin with, but I don’t want you to be afraid to season your food!
Our major source of excess sodium comes from highly processed, packaged foods, so limiting those is always a good idea.
We actually need sodium and chloride and potassium and magnesium and all the other electrolytes to help our cells conduct energy, to balance fluids, and more.
Plus, if you eat a relatively low-carb or even a keto diet, you definitely need to add more salt and electrolytes to your life!
So - regularly seasoning your food as you cook or adding some flaky sea salt to a dish before you eat is likely not going to increase your risk for hypertension or kidney disease.
In fact, it would be pretty hard for you to add too much salt to your food on your own if you’re eating whole, natural foods.
I also encourage anyone who needs more energy during the day or feels a bit sluggish in the morning to add some salt to a glass of water with lemon when they wake up. Try it!
Y’all, this is what my 6-month 1:1 coaching program is all about. Finding healthy swaps to add into your day that become healthy habits, and maybe changing your mind about a few things along the way.
I want to work with you to create those positive habit changes and help you lead a long, vibrant and energetic life.
What do you say? Ready to get started?
Let’s go!
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