Middle School
Worksheets
Limiting Your Salt Intake
More Herbs, Less Salt Day
Reading Comprehension for August 29
Salt is an important ingredient in our diets. However, in America, we consume too much salt. Salt has a chemical name - sodium chloride or sodium. The American Dietetic Association estimates that the average American consumes as much as 5,000 milligrams of sodium each day. Dietary guidelines recommend at least 1,500 milligrams of sodium per day and no more than 2,400 milligrams per day. Yet, just one teaspoon of table salt contains 2,400 milligrams of sodium. It doesn't take much to go over the daily limit. So, what is a person to do?
There are many ways to cut back on the amount of salt in out diets. Paying attention is the first step. In addition, there are tasty herbs and spices we can substitute to add flavor to our meals. Here's some ideas to help keep your salt intake under control.
You've probably heard that checking food labels is a good idea. It's also a way to know how much sodium you are a getting in that can of peas or beans. Many types of processed foods add salt to enhance flavor and help to preserve foods. Manufacturers add salt to canned vegetables, beans, meats, and fish. Being aware of where the salt comes from is a step towards cutting back your intake to acceptable levels. Try to choose lower salt foods when buying processed items. Look for Low-Salt or No-Salt Added canned goods. An even better choice is to pick fresh meats and vegetables, which are generally lower in salt.
