Topic: sodium

Nutrition News: U.S. Government Says to Pass (On) the Salt

Today, the incredibly slow-to-grind gears of government management finally spit out an update on salt consumption, advising at-risk demographics (African-Americans, and people with hypertension, diabetes, and kidney problems) to consume roughly 1,150 milligrams of the white stuff per day. For the rest of us, Doctor Sam prescribes a more liberal number: 2,300.

The announcement follows news from earlier this year that the Food and Drug Administration might soon be leaning heavily on food manufacturers to reduce the sodium content of pre-packaged foods. The FDA denies the claim, but if universal health care manifests itself, the net result will be further bureaucratic intervention with the things that make us sicker. More »

10 Foods You Didn’t Know Contained (So Much) Salt

Last week, nutritionist and Foodtrainers founder Lauren Slayton gave us her New Year’s Detox Diet: 7-Day Food Cleanse. Today she’s back with ten foods (plus condiments and medications) that you didn’t know contained so much damn salt. If you liked our previous posts: 8 Foods You Didn’t Know Contained Meat and 5 Foods You Didn’t Know Contained Gluten, then you’ll want to read on.

Lauren says: “We all have a friend or family member who, like my husband, often reaches for the salt shaker even before tasting their food. Perhaps this person is chided for their overzealous shaking; perhaps not. But the truth is that even the most serious salt-lover isn’t in danger of approaching the recommended one-teaspoon-a-day of salt from that habit. Instead, have you ever considered criticizing the amount of spaghetti sauce someone uses? Maybe you should.” Here’s our gallery of ten sneaky salt sources lurking in your food: More »

Drink Your Ice Wine, But Don’t Bring It on the Plane: Morning News Roundup

Lover or Loser — If you see your partner lose (at anything), you might not like him anymore. Subconsciously, of course. (via Eurkealert)

Selective Hearing — Meet the part of your brain that allows you listen to boring anecdotes at loud cocktail parties. (via NPR)

The Fanciest Drink You Can Find — Your champagne is nothing compared to Canadian Ice Wine. (via Luxist)

Carry-On Cuisine — Don’t try to bring any cranberry sauce through airport security. (via Eatocracy)
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Can I Get High Cholesterol With That? 10 Worst Side Dishes From Chain Restaurants

Restaurant side dishes always looks so appealing. Commitment-phobes and calorie-phobes alike flock to them for à la carte ordering. One measly side dish is obviously healthier than an entire entree at a chain restaurant, right? If only. We should know by now that restaurants pack in the calories anywhere they can, including in that seemingly innocent baked potato you just ordered. Check out the ten worst side dishes we found from chain restaurants, and join us in weeping for our waistlines. More »

Feeling Salty: Should the government regulate sodium content in foods? (via Reuters)

Lettuce Doesn’t Mean Healthy: 10 Chain Restaurant Salads That Are Worse Than a Burger

If skinny were a country, the national dish would be salad – how many calories can you really get out of lettuce, after all? But looks can be deceiving: Those “skinny bitches” in France are actually noshing on chocolate croissants … More »

Is Coconut Water the Best Way to Hydrate?

You know how we feel about sugary sports drinks. But plenty of hardcore athletes and health enthusiasts are turning to coconut water as their workout beverage because of its rehydrating properties. Coconut water is low in calories and fat, and … More »