Today the U.S. Food and Drug Administration opened a public debate on how much salt is too much in the processed foods Americans eat.
“Very few people dispute that Americans get way too much salt from processed and restaurant foods, and that an excess promotes hypertension, stroke, heart attacks, kidney failure, and early death,” CSPI executive director Michael F. Jacobson said in a statement. “While the FDA has historically declined to challenge companies to lower high sodium levels, it is increasingly hard for FDA officials to ignore the calls to action made in recent years by the medical community.”
When I was growing up there was always a salt and pepper shaker on the table and we didn’t hesitate to use it. I suspect this is true for most of the baby boomers. It was only in the last 10-12 years that I started phasing “added salt” out of my diet and became serious what about what foods I purchased, how I cooked them, and what I will put into my body.
I honestly cannot remember the last time I bought salt, the same blue box has been in the cupboard for over 5 years I’m sure. A salt shaker still sits in the cupboard rarely used. My husband puts a dab on eggs and in the summer I can’t resist it on corn on the cob. Other than those few items we don’t use salt.
If you’re use to salting you’re probably thinking NO WAY, the food would be so bland. Not true, I use a lot of different seasonings to add flavor when I’m cooking, it’s just that salt is not one of them. Mrs. Dash has a line of seasonings that is salt and MSG free.
I wonder what the FDA will decide. Currently they have salt categorized “generally recognized as safe”, and thus far have refused to change this. Personally I think the FDA should force food manufacturers to reduce the salt in processed foods. Finland and the United Kingdom have done this.
But salt reduction is happening in other countries, the Associated Press reported. For example, McDonald’s Chicken McNuggets in the United States has more than twice as much salt as the same product in the United Kingdom, and Kellogg’s Special K in the United States has 58 percent more salt in than it does in the United Kingdom, CSPI noted.
I really encourage you to read the full article found at Health Day and decide for yourself if the FDA should get involved in the fight over salt.
Technorati Tags: heart disease – hypertension – sodium
Hi Elaine,
As you know, my wife and I are in the middle of our drastic lifestyle change as far as health is concerned. Salt is watched very carefully in our diets. Not only does it make weight watchers such as us retain water, it is so bad, especially for me with my medical condition. I only wish I jumped on the health bandwagon earlier. You have been terrific support for me and my wife and we both appreciate it. Keep up the excellent blogging! -Mike.
Elaine,
I’ve felt this way for years. My mother uses an obscene amount of salt on her food, always has. I omit it from all of my recipes. If there is butter in the recipe, the butter is salted. This is another reason I refuse to use pre packaged food items. Just look at the sodium content in most items. Most times there is a weeks worth in one serving. It’s hard to determine what the FDA should do but something has to be done. I think back to growing up. Our meals were homemade. We rarely had store bought foods in the house. We were treated once a year to a fast food burger joint on the last day of school. Today, many families have two parents working outside of the home, cooking is becoming a thing of the past and fast food is the mainstay several times a week.
I see major health concerns for today’s youth. With the increased video games , inactivity and intake of fast food, processed foods and pre packaged goods, the kids today will see early heart ailment, diabetes, high blood pressures and many more health deteriorations, at earlier ages.
I really hope they reduce our salt… I don’t hardly eat salt anymore, either. I can’t hardly stand eating salty foods now. If I just taste a slice of American Cheese, I can’t hardly stand it because it is so salty. My husband LOVES salt, though, and thinks I’m weird for saying something is salty that he is putting TONS of salt on… Not only does it taste HORRIBLE, but it makes you SO THIRSTY. I feel so much better when I don’t eat the salty foods. Unless a person makes everything home made, though, they can’t hardly buy things that are low sodium. It would be really nice for that to change.
Elaine,
We use salt sparingly in recipes and don’t usually add extra at the table. I am also paying more attention to salt content in food and not eating high salt foods. The good news is that my family weren’t big salt adders and I don’t like highly salted food. Thank you for being so on top of health issues!
Love and hugs.
Beth
I never add salt when I eat out, but in thinking about your writeup here I do add it at home. Hmmm…. I don’t know why I do that! Your blogs are always so inspiring!
I enjoy reading comments that are left on the blog items I read whereever I go. And I find it so nice when I read from a commenter that the writer of the blog has provided them a service with what they pen. I see that to be true with the accolade to you herein by Mr. Grudge. Isn’t that grand that you are receiving such nice feedback that you are truly helping others with your health specialty blog spot!!
~Nooner~
Not even on eggs anymore, only corn on the cob. I can’t seem to get away from salting my corn on the cob a little.
Its like perfume! You only need a little, however, people keep adding more each time and that will have unfavorable effects.
I understand why companies in the US have more sodium in their products but what I don’t understand why is how the watch dog agencies are not looking out for us better? It is not about over regulating since you can add more salt, it is about our health!
i just wanted to add… Corn on the Cob is something that definitely needs salt LOL… There’s no gettin’ away from it. I’ve TRIED!
Hi Elaine,
Like you I stopped salt so long ago, I cannot remember. My dad had heart trouble when I was young so salt was not used in cooking. A little on my corn and on a tomato sandwich in the summer is my passion. I have recently replaced the box I bought 37 years ago when I got married.
No prepared foods or fast foods unless you want to include subways turkey breast sandwiches as fast food. I also read the labels and reject anything with high salt content.
Maybe I will live one day longer than everyone else.
aj
p.s. I love the word art and you know they will be used
Hi Elaine
I very seldom use any salt in my cooking, in fact the only salt that comes to mind when I bake is 1/2 tsp when I am making my Banana Oatmeal almond muffins,(which makes 12 muffins) I am so use to not eating salt these days I find it hard when I go out to eat as the salt really seems so powerfull and yet at one time I use to salt almost everything I cooked, so by just cutting back, you will soon get use to not wanting to eat any thing salty.
BTW in my muffins there is no fat either except for the fat in one large egg . so this really cuts down on a lot of stuff that is no good for you.
Mr. Grudge (Mike) – what a nice comment, sometimes I wonder if people will tire of hearing me harp on such topics. Kudo’s to you and your wife, I know it’s not easy!
don’t mess with our corn on the cob.
Paula – good to see you again. I think what you’ve mentioned is already here. We have young people that are typeII diabetics, have high cholesterol, obese, etc.
Julie – I hope they change their guidelines as well. What really ticks me off is the difference is sodium levels in American products here and in the Europe. A bowl of Special K should be same everywhere! Yet ours in the US contains 58% more.
Beth – always good to see you. I enjoyed reading your blog with your “healthy Thanksgiving meal”. Little changes in our diet can make such a big difference.
Nooner – interesting that you don’t add salt in restaurants but do at home. Maybe at home you should try different seasonings? Just a thought. Thank you for your nice comments…my readers may not be many but it’s nice to know that in some small way it may be helping others.
Gino - yes I agree, the FDA should step up to the plate. Until the people realize that their Special K is different from their friends in the UK then we will see change.
Julie – LOL I hear ya
AJ - if I ever make it out to Mass., we will have a grand time. Two old nurses and both eat so similar. Glad you like the word art
Mary Anne - you muffins sound wonderful! I know as a diabetic you really watch your diet and cook healthy. Send me the recipe for your muffins please (email).
Wow.. I had no idea there was such a huge difference in the foods here and elsewhere. I do add salt to corn and recipes such as soup or chili. Come to think of it, I add seasoning salt to most of my meat too. Maybe it’s time to find a non-salt replacement! I’ve always wondered why people add salt to recipes for cookies and cakes though. I’ve never felt the need for salt in baked sweets but yet you almost always see it listed in the recipe.
Thx for the info Elaine!
Good read…I’m beginning to think health/life expectancy is 98% genetic, meaning that salt isn’t going to do as much to you…I think today though the food contains more of it, so when you add to it, it just gets ridiculous. I don’t hesitate to add salt/butter/pepper as well
and I’m in good health
I have a lot less salt than I used to, but probably could cut back even more! Thanks for the good advice/reminder… and I love the header!
We are careful with salt here too but I have a weakness for pretzels! We eat very little processed food so our average salt intake probably isn’t too bad…and we don’t add any.
Elaine,
I came back to thank you, again, for the lovely word art and for patiently helping me get it on my blog correctly! During this Christmas season I also want to thank you for your very real friendship on this cyber contraption…lol.
Love and hugs,
Beth
Lots of talk that our dietary salt is the root of all hypertensive evil in first world countries. I find myself rudely staring with widened eyes when other customers at restaurants salt the life out of their dinners. Customers wearing their risk factors around their waistlines! Good plea for less salt, this post!