Salt Is Not Evil

Do you want to hear something untrue?

Salt is bad for you.

Don't believe it. Blanket statements like these are what lead us into overly restrictive diets that only make us crave what we can't have. There IS such a thing as too much salt, same as with everything else. But in mindful eating to better our health, we seek first to understand what certain foods or types of food can do for our body. First we seek knowledge. So let's learn about salt!

Your body cannot live without some sodium...

• It regulates blood sugar
• Helps to prevent dehydration
• Reduces risk of infection

This helpful article from Harvard Health Publishing says that sodium is "needed to transmit nerve impulses, contract and relax muscle fibers (including those in the heart and blood vessels), and maintain a proper fluid balance."

The same article reminds us that even a good thing shouldn't be overdone. Don't go out of your way to increase your salt intake, just make sure not to jump through hopes to entirely avoid it.

When it comes to salt, there's also a question of which salt. I recommend Pink Himalayan salt to my friends and clients. Partially, this is because I'm a sucker for the slight difference in taste. But from a health perspective, there are many more minerals present in Pink Himalayan, and far fewer additives than in regular table salt. This difference in mineral content is not nearly significant enough to be a substitution for basic necessities like fruits and vegetables (seriously don't do that). I just like knowing that I've got that 1% extra mineral boost. Every pinch helps!

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