The other food baddie-salt?
The foods we crave tend to be sweet, fatty or salty. Craving salty foods is a sign of adrenal fatigue - in a stressed world this applies to many of us. We are also fighting our evolutionary history - in times gone by salt was in short supply so we are programmed to want it.
Our bodies do need salt to maintain the balance of fluids in the body and for muscle and nerve function. But too much salt can lead to high blood pressure, a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and stroke and osteoporosis. The recommended intake is three quarters to one teaspoon a day but many of us have more than this often from processed foods.
You may have noticed recently that I have switched to using pink salt rather than regular salt in my recipes. This is not just because pink is my favourite colour!!! Pink salt is lower in sodium (salt is mainly sodium chloride) and contains many (80+) minerals including iron, which gives it the pink colour, iodine, calcium, potassium and magnesium. Even so, it is still salt and too much is not good for our bodies.
We like salt because it enhances the flavour of our food (many sweet recipes will include a little for this reason) but you can add flavour without salt.
Below are my top ways to add flavour without sodium:-
Nutritional yeast has a 'cheesy' flavour. Use it on pizzas, pasta sauces etc as in this mushroom and pepper pizza - http://40plusandalliswell.blogspot.co.uk/2016/02/meatless-monday-gluten-free-mushroom.html
Lemon - use to make lemon couscous, tagines etc as in these Moroccan meatless balls with lemon couscous - http://40plusandalliswell.blogspot.co.uk/2015/01/meatless-mondaymoroccan-meatless-balls.html
Herbs - there are so many herbs you can use - basil, dill, mint, rosemary and many, many more My ratatouille with rosemary focaccia bread is just one recipe made using herbs but search the blog for others-
Spices - chilli, ginger, cumin, turmeric, paprika and many may more. My vegan black bean burritos use smoked paprika but many of my recipes include spices - check out the blog -http://40plusandalliswell.blogspot.co.uk/2017/01/meatless-monday-vegan-black-bean.html
You might also like:-
'Sugar and skin- not so sweet- http://40plusandalliswell.blogspot.co.uk/2014/07/sugar-and-skin-not-so-sweet.html
'The real meaning of 'sugar free' - http://40plusandalliswell.blogspot.co.uk/2016/06/the-real-meaning-of-sugar-free.html
'In the news-Saturated fat' - https://40plusandalliswell.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/in-news-saturated-fat.html
Stay healthy, stay happy,
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