Log in to become a member of Fran Larson's Fan Club!
Do you ever wonder why the scale isn't kinder to you? Yes, you went out to eat but you had a healthy salad, vegetable soup no bread and skipped dessert. Then you weigh the next morning and wow, you are 2 pounds over your normal weight. What went wrong?
Some dressings (for salad) contain large amounts of sodium. Also, usually soup and diet soda also have vast amounts of sodium. This causes water retention, thus weight gain.
Slim-down guru Jim Kaaras explains (in Good Housekeeping Magazine) that s odium contributes to water retention, making you look and feel bloated. The daily value suggests no more than 2,400 milligrams of sodium each day (or about one teaspoon), but most of us are getting more than twice that amount.
Four Reasons Why We Should Cut Down on Salt
(From UK Government Guidelines)
1. Cutting down on salt reduces blood pressure.
2. When your blood pressure goes down, your risk of developing heart disease and stroke goes down too, whatever your age.
3. You may start to notice a wider range of flavours in food, as your taste buds adjust to having less salt.
4. Too much salt causes bloating.
Three Ways to Win the Salt Battle
1. Instead of salt, here are ideas for fabulous flavor (from fitsugar.com):Fresh lemon juice, ground pepper, red pepper flakes, ginger, rosemary, cilantro, oregano and basil. My personal favorite is adding beef broth to vegetables.
2. Read Labels for sodium content..remember no more that 2,400 milligrams of sodium daily.
3. When you do salt food, do it after it is cooked because you will use less salt.
4. Exercise daily and the prespiration will help rid your body of excess salt.
Francine Larson:
Co-Author of Character Keys to a Bright Future.
She is currently writing for The Pasco Shopper (Fl.) and The Highlands at Scotland Yards. Also writes poetry and short stories.She has a new personal web site:http://thedragonflylady.com/
Unfortunately, salt makes things taste better! I'm not sure it's actual weight gain as opposed to just water weight though. It does make sense to cut out the salt for awhile if you have a special event and don't want to look bloated.
Unfortunately, salt makes things taste better! I'm not sure it's actual weight gain as opposed to just water weight though. It does make sense to cut out the salt for awhile if you have a special event and don't want to look bloated.
The sodium that is in salt will affect your weight, according to research that I have done. That is why even diet drinks are not good when you are trying to lose weight - because of the sodium. You are right, it isn't the salt itself.
Disclaimer: All information on this site is provided for informational purposes only! By no means is any
information presented herein intended to substitute for the advice provided to you by any health care or other professional
or organization.
