The Benefits Of A Low Sodium Lifestyle

A low sodium, low salt diet shouldn't be a burden at all! Personally, I have kept to an "under 1000mg" a day diet with out giving up much but fast food (and who misses that anyway?)

When I was first told that my blood pressure was high ( 160/95) and labeled as having hypertension, I decided at that moment to do some serious research into what had created this "new-to-me" health concern. I wanted to find a permanent solution to lower the numbers to an acceptable, healthy range without taking medication.

As I reflected on where I was in life at the moment, mid-life, not overweight, but not exercising regularly either, I began making small changes in my day-to-day lifestyle. I was not going to give in to hypertension.

First, I bought a nutritional handbook that lists most foods and their nutritional content. I decided to try and stay under 500mg of sodium daily. This took some work, but it paid off very well. I had lowered my count to 150/89 in two weeks. But my doctor still was concerned and wanted to see me begin medication, so I went back to the drawing table. And I put off the decision to going on medication for another 30 days.

I found that magnesium is an excellent combatant for excess sodium. I added figs, sunflower seeds and other magnesium rich foods to my daily intake. Yes, this was working, I was now at 140/85. And dropping. Dropping.

Now, when I added a daily aerobic routine of 30 minutes each day I was really making progress. Three months out and I was reading 135/79. Huge advances!

Did I mention that all this time I rarely ate out? When I did find myself in a restaurant, ordering was tricky, but not impossible. Nervous that salt would be added to anything prepared, I would order a salad, no cheese and oil and vinegar on the side. Boring, boring, boring.

I was feeling so good and healthy I began to slip a little, just a little. I ate out a little more often, still I didn't cook with salt at all, but I abandoned my daily "health breakfast" for pancakes and granola. (I was eating slow-cook oatmeal with figs and seeds topped with soymilk every morning, and loving this tasty creation) I actually forgot about my grand plan. Then, I had my bp read. I was climbing. And I knew that I needed to get back on track, and fast.

Having a culinary background, I cook most everything my family eats. This includes all breads, sauces, everything. And you know what I discovered? Food tastes BETTER with little or NO salt. You can actually TASTE the good food. I have posted many of our favorite recipes on our website, Cooking-for-Compliments.com/low-sodium.html. Daily updates are added with new and exciting recipes for successful low sodium cooking.
So, now, 10 months out and feeling great. I'm a steady 135/75 and holding! I adhere strictly to under 1000mg of sodium daily, and walk everyday for at least 45 minutes.

I eat well, get outside often and I am enjoying life. It was just a matter of thinking in a new direction, and taking action.

Certainly, you need to consult your doctor with any medical concerns you may have. This article is not meant to be taken as medical advice. Lowering your salt intake is a first step in treating hypertension, and I hope to provide you with delicious recipes to help you obtain your goals, too.

To your health!
Betty

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Low Sodium Diet - A Natural Salt Substitute That is Not High in Sodium

The dietary habits of our nation as a whole have gone lower and lower every year since the 1950's and its no coincidence that we are now among the most obese nation in the world but one of the silent killers out there today and that is high blood pressure. Excessive sodium intake is the culprit that many experts say has something to do with our blood pressure levels and many dieticians recommend a low sodium diet, but how can this be realistically achieved? These days almost every food we eat is filled with sodium so how can we have a low sodium diet and still get the same taste in our food that we had before?

No doubt you have seen many companies tout their salt substitute products saying that they have the same taste as regular salt with none of the unhealthy side effects but upon closer examination you will see that many of these companies have use things like potassium chloride which can effect people taking certain meds for lowering blood pressure . Its always wise to try to find a natural salt substitute. Smart salts are gaining in popularity since one of their main ingredients is basic table salt that is mixed with magnesium and potassium. As you can see these are natural minerals that are all needed in our diet . Their job is to lower the percentage of sodium in table salt without killing the taste. This is one way you can create an all natural salt substitute.

Whether you are a spring chicken in your mid twenties or a middle aged person in your forties like me it is never too late to get into a low sodium diet. We are a nation that has become salt dependent but does this mean that we have to become sodium dependent? Thankfully the answer is no and thanks to natural advances in salt substitutes you can still enjoy your charbroiled chicken salad with a pinch of some natural salt substitutes to satisfy your starving taste buds.

If you're looking for a natural Salt substitute that has all of the taste of regular table salt with half the sodium, visit us at http://www.smartsalt.com to place an order for our smart salt products.