Lower Your Salt the Natural Way!

Lower Your Salt the Natural Way!

Hello Loyal Soup People! A lot of us are trying hard to lower our salt intake these days. Excess consumption of salt is linked to hypertension and increased risk of heart attack and stroke. Many people’s palates are accustomed to a lot of salt, and when they reduce it in their diet, they find that food can taste bland. The key to successfully reducing salt while still enjoying food is to add as much natural flavor as possible to what we eat. The best way to do this is to cook with herbs and spices.

Not only do herbs and spices add wonderful natural flavor, but they have incredible health benefits! Fresh herbs are great sources of vitamins, minerals, fiber, and polyphenols (powerful antioxidants). Spices such as turmeric, cumin, and chili powder are getting noticed for their anti-inflammatory benefits.

When cooking, add spices in the beginning of the heating process to release their flavors into your food. For example, when making a stir-fry, add your spices with your garlic (just be sure not to burn them!). Add herbs at the end of the cooking process (right before serving!). Or, add them fresh to salads. Nothing is better than basil on ANYTHING in the summer! Add mint to your watermelon! The possibilities are endless. No matter how you add herbs and spices, you’ll find that when you cook with them, you’ll need less and less salt. Flavor AND health – the perfect combination!

*NOTE – Soupermom is not a licensed dietitian, doctor, personal trainer, or anything like that. She’s just extremely knowledgeable about healthy living!! But if you slip and fall while taking her advice, it is not her fault!