Salt Cravings and High Blood Pressure
April 25, 2007
I just read a writeup on a new study, in the British Medical Journal. It says that people who eat a salt-reduced diet are 25% to 30% less likely to develop strokes and heart attacks. Reducing sodium lowers blood pressure, and lowering blood pressure reduces the risk of strokes and heart attacks.
The average person eats between 10 to 15 pounds of salt a year. Most of that is hidden in processed foods and fast foods, even in foods like cereal where you would not expect it.
You can reduce your intake of salt by eating more and more fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts, grains and seeds. Oh, not the roasted, salted nuts, though! Unsalted, raw nuts and seeds.
If you can go 3 months with restricting your salt seriously, usually by that time, your cravings will be reduced and you will not want salt so much.
You can use Kelp-based salt substitutes. One of my favorites is Bragg Sprinkle All Natural Herb and Spice Seasoning. Remember one of my health coaches and mentors was Dr. Paul Bragg.
Check your local health food store. Even most supermarkets have many choices. Read your labels.
Be sure and check out my Cravings Coach Salt Cravings article, and also for more detailed information on many related food cravings, order your copy of my ebook called Craving Secrets.
Diana Walker, Cravings Coach
Comments
3 Responses to “Salt Cravings and High Blood Pressure”
Got something to say?
Why do I crave salt lately ? I am a 69 year old healthy woman.
Hi Natalie!
Because you asked the question “Why Do I Crave Salt Lately?”, I thought I’d devote many blog posts to Salt Cravings.
Be sure to check out some of my salt information here:
http://thecravingscoach.com/blog/category/cravings/salty-foods/
There can be several reasons:
1. You may be deficient in essential minerals
2. You may have adrenal exhaustion
3. You may have just become used to a lot of salt in your diet, and your body craves it
4. You may have more serious medical issues - which would have to be checked out by a physician (one possibility is Addison’s Disease)
I hope this helps in your search for answers to your salt cravings.
Thanks for visiting my blog and commenting on it.
Diana Walker
Cravings Coach
[...] Salt Cravings and High Blood Pressure Salt Cravings and High Blood Pressure. April 25, 2007 … that people who eat a salt-reduced diet are 25% to 30% less likely to develop strokes and heart attacks. Reducing sodium lowers blood pressure … http://thecravingscoach.com/blog/salt-cravings-and-high-blood-pressure/ [...]