Forget about March Madness! Let's celebrate National Nutrition Month! Ha!
I'll bet this wasn't on your calendars! Nor was it on mine, but I found this article this morning on Shape.com and wanted to share. THIS YEAR THE THEME IS "GET YOUR PLATE IN SHAPE". I know I am such a nerd because I love that! I've re-posted the article here. . . However, before you begin reading have you DONE YOUR PUSH UPS? WE ARE UP TO 22 TODAY! DON'T FORGET THEM!
Have a great Monday!
Reposted from Shape.com/blogs/fit-foodies
Celebrate National Nutrition Month
by Karen Borsari
National Nutrition Month was created by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics to educate the public about healthy eating, by helping consumers make informed choices about the foods they consume, develop good eating habits, and of course get active.Every week this month the NNM is focusing on one healthy change we can all make in our lives and the first change is to reduce salt intake. According to the Center for Disease Control nine out of 10 American’s eat more than the recommended daily allowance for sodium, which increases the risk of stroke and heartdisease amongst other health concerns.
The best way to slash salt is to limit processed foods. But, if like me, you make most of your food at home there a few more things you can do to cut sodium there too. Buy fresh or frozen produce as opposed to canned, always rinse canned beans, and lay off the salt shaker. My favorite ways to slash sodium without missing it are to add fresh lemon or lime juice to recipes and salad dressings. These juices hit your taste buds in the same way salt does making them the perfect substitute. I also add garlic powder to almost everything, even if it already has fresh garlic in it. Other seasonings like chili powder, cumin, cayenne, and cardamom are great when a salty savory craving hits.
My favorite salt slayers though, are potassium-rich foods like potatoes (white and sweet), beans, bananas, salmon, raisins, avocado, almonds, and winter squash. Eating these foods actually offsets the negative affects of sodium.
I, personaly, am not a "salty" and a few years ago really cut the salt from cooking and food preparation after being diagnosed with Meniere's Disease. (It is an ear thing that can be triggered by salt intake.) I do know that Americans consume too much salt (as well as other things!) due to all the fast food and processed foods we have let come into our diets. In fact, the CDC's number of nine out of 10 Americans eat more than their allowance of sodium each day is surprising. That means those who are actually "salt safe" (for lack of a better adjective - just made that one up!) are in the MINORITY. Wow! So, put down the salt shaker! I'll bet if you taste the food first it is just fine for you! If not, then this is a great time to re-train your tastebuds to appreciate a normal amount of salt on foods.
Are you a salty? Any creative ways to cut the salt?
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