Sodium Shakedown: The Next Major Nutrition Public Health Push

hi all, I'm back from maternity leave now and planning to blog more frequently. So let's get this started! SODIUM SHAKEDOWN It seems that the next major nutrition-focused public health push is going to be dietary sodium intake reduction. Major food manufacturers and even restaurants are beginning to reformulate foods and recipes in order to bring down those sodium milligrams. That's a good thing. Generally, Americans eat FAR more milligrams of sodium than recommended. The CDC reports that 10 foods are responsible for nearly half of the sodium that Americans consume. These foods are: Breads and rolls, Luncheon meats such as deli ham and turkey, Pizza, Poultry, Soups, Cheeseburgers and other sandwiches, Cheese, Pasta dishes, Meat dishes, Snack foods including chips, pretzels, and popcorn. For more on this topic, check out WebMD's summary article at: http://www.webmd.com/diet/news/20120207/bread-and-other-common-foods-top-list-sodium-culprits I always like to focus on what you SHOULD be eating instead of what you shouldn't be eating. So, with that focus in mind, make sure to choose plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables and un-processed foods. How can you do that? Eat at home more frequently, make more "from scratch," read labels for sodium to help you make choices at the grocery store. Why should you care about your sodium intake? It's primarly about your ticker and your noggin, people. Too much sodium can lead to high blood pressure and too much blood pressure can lead to heart disease and stroke. Be well. Skip the drive-through and spend that extra time to make a meal tonight.