Foods High In Salt

Reducing The Odds Of
High Blood Pressure

Many people are advised to stay away from foods high in salt for future diabetic health, not realizing their definition of this statement and the doctor/dietitian’s are a complete opposite.

When informed to lower their sodium intake, most patient’s assume they are being asked to "remove the salt shaker" from the table and the stove.

But salt and sodium sneaks into so many things you eat everyday just because of the food processing and manufacturing industry. Manufacturers know people enjoy the flavor of salt in their final product.

So foods high in salt are often made and marketed. Salt gets added as a flavor enhancer or a food preservative, all to reap increased sales from the buying public.

Shelf life of a finished product is also extremely important to both the manufacturer and the retailer in the food industry. Fresh foods are picked, purchased and eaten usually within a couple of days.

But processed foods must rely on a shelf stable product. Foods high in salt can give the extra time which is needed to prevent spoilage.

Although salt (sodium chloride) is a natural component of almost all fresh foods, our bodies only need a certain amount for optimal health. The prevalence of processed foods, fast foods and salt-enhanced foods though has led to many people being given entirely too much salt each and every day.

This abundance over time therefore leads to increased health risks.

Below, I have a chart with some of the items your doctor or dietitian had in mind when they requested you eliminate many of the salty foods from your daily diet.

Salted and Smoked Meats

• Bacon, bologna, braunschweiger, corn beef, chipped beef, frankfurters (hot dogs), scrapple, ham, Kosher meat, deli/luncheon meats, salt pork, sausage - all varieties, kielbasa, smoked tongue and any other selections labeled as smoked meat.

  Salted and Smoked Fish

• Anchovies, caviar, herring, dried salmon or cod fillets, sardines, clams oysters and shrimp from a can

  Salted Foods As Prepared

• Corn curls, saltines and snack crackers, pretzels, potato chips, salted nuts and seeds, salted popcorn, sandwich buns and rolls, plus many packaged snack foods, sauerkraut, processed cheese, cheese spreads jarred, frozen dinners or TV dinners, peanut butter (check label), canned soups and vegetables, creamed corn from can or frozen variety, instant pudding mixes, fast food items(some examples would be hamburger/cheeseburger on bun, roast beef sandwich, onion rings), plus almost all store-bought or factory-made fruit pies

  Seasonings and Condiments

• Prepared mustard, ketchup, chili sauce, soy sauce, worcestershire sauce and MSG, canned meats, meat sauces, meat tenderizers, tamari, pickle relish, dehydrated soup mixes, baking soda, pickles and olives, bouillon and broth bases, all kinds of garlic, onion, celery salts (use powders instead)etc.

  Non-Food Products

• Drinking water from home filtration systems requiring salt water run filters, aspirin, acetaminophen, medications both prescription and OTC, toothpaste, mouthwash, and tooth whiteners

So by careful shopping and choosing from the many low salt foods, controlling your intake of many high salt favorites, plus avoiding those foods high in salt, this can be one easy way to start improving your overall health profile which will help prevent some of the major health concerns possibly becoming a part of your future.

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