Photo by Stefan Johnson on Unsplash

By Sally Writes

Do you think you know how much salt your body needs? Salt is an element of good nutrition that seems to be talked about an awful lot. We see “low sodium” soups and “salt-free” nuts on the shelf. Piling those items into your grocery cart might make you feel that you have your salt intake under control. But did you know that milk has salt in it? How about beer? Surprising, right? Let’s get clear on just how much salt we need, what to do to keep track, and how to cut back if needed.

How Much Salt Do I Need?

The American Heart Association teaches that the most adults should ideally take is 1,500 mg of salt per day. This is equivalent to ⅔ of a teaspoon of table salt, but don’t let that fool you. Just because you aren’t sprinkling salt onto every meal, doesn’t mean that you are under the limit.

Most foods that we eat, especially prepared foods, have salt already added in. For example, one serving size of your a typical jarred tomato sauce delivers almost 500 mg of salt. That would be a third of your salt intake, just in your sauce! Add some meat, salad dressing, and a beverage to your meal, and you will find that you can quickly rack up 1,500 mg of salt intake in one meal.

The maximum amount of salt that the American Heart Association recommends is 2,300 mg. However, 70% of Americans are at risk for diseases that are linked to sodium intake, so experts say that it is better to aim for lower numbers and be safe.

However, salt is essential for our body’s functioning, so you can’t cut it out completely. For instance, it is very helpful as a home remedy to cure sore throats – by mixing with garlic and gargling, this is a great natural solution! Also, endurance athletes who lose salt through sweat will need to think about replacing their losses.

How To Track Salt Intake And Cut Back At The Same Time

You don’t need to become obsessive about adding up your salt intake all day, every day, to be healthy with regards to sodium. Instead, think about adding in more home cooking to your diet.

Consuming overly processed foods, and eating on the go can make it nearly impossible to keep track of salt intake. Often these kinds of foods are high in sodium, just to help them stay preserved. Feel in control as you see every ingredient that you put into your meals, and you’ll move to a whole new level of your health and wellness.

Instead of thinking that you are doing the right thing by purchasing “low sodium” options at the grocery store, start to learn the facts. The accurate numbers about how much sodium your body needs are surprising. Get in control of your intake by cooking meals from scratch.