How To Curb Your Salt Craving: Too Much Can Cause Health Problems

By Chef Selwyn Richards
Cuisine Columnist

Salt is a highly addictive taste and craving it isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Only if we consume too much sodium, in the form of processed table salt for example, can it cause health problems.

It’s no secret that salt can boost food’s flavor and is important to the body, in small amounts. However, you may be getting a lot more salt in your diet than you realize.

Overcoming Salt Cravings
* Stay away from processed foods. Almost all processed foods have some form of sodium. A better alternative is to make your own snacks and meals. Baked sweet potato chips with parmesan are a tasty alternative to processed potato chips.

* Stay away from fast food whenever possible.

* Use herbs as an alternative to salt when cooking.

* Drink plenty of water. Stay hydrated.

* Reduce stress to keep your emotional salt craving under control.

* Pay attention to how you’re feeling when your salt craving hits. Are you bored, anxious, angry, or lonely?

* Get a nutrition checkup. Find out what minerals and nutrients you may be missing in your diet. Once you start replacing them with healthy versions your salt cravings will become less.

Alternatives to salt:
* Pistachios and other unsalted nuts
* Herbs like cilantro, parsley, dill, basil, and oregano
* Sunflower seeds and other seeds
* Cheesy kale chips
* Tamari-seasoned rice crackers
* Air popped popcorn tossed with olive oil and chili powder.
* Spicy wheat pretzels
* Pickles
* Olives
* Cheese
* Hummus

Selwyn Richards is an award-winning master chef. He is also the President and Executive Chef at The Art of Catering Inc. and is the author of “The Art of Cooking: Soul of The Caribbean”. Chef Selwyn can be reached at: selwyn@theartofcatering.com or by phone — (905) 619-1059.