Cutting Down on Sodium

Reducing our salt intake and trying to keep it significantly below 2,300 mg per day (for adults) is one of the easiest plans for losing weight. The recommended maximum daily sodium intake is 2,300mg but most people consume more than twice as much.

When we consume too much sodium the kidneys retain a lot more water and this increases blood pressure.

It would surprise some people that most of the sodium we eat doesn't come from salt-shakers. There is a very large amount of sodium in most processed foods. All cured meats (such as bacon, ham and sausage) also have very high levels. Even foods you'd never expect as culprits, such as cottage cheese can contain 1,000mg per cup.

The best way to cut down on sodium is to eat fresh whole foods. Eat lots of vegetables, legumes and fruit. These foods are also high in fiber and low in calories.

OceanPark calls the above photo "the schizophrenia of america". She says, "I think this sums up the paradox of two main messages in contemporary American culture: be impossibly skinny; eat superfatty hamburgers."

I would completely agree.