On taco night, mac and cheese night, or Super Bowl Sunday, you know you’re in for a serious dose of sodium. But beyond those obviously salty foods, sodium has a way of sneaking on to your plate more often than you might realize. It’s everywhere—starting with the fancy salt you pick up at the farmer’s market. “All salt contains 40 percent sodium,” says Mandy Enright, R.D.N., a nutritionist and fitness trainer in New Jersey. That means Kosher salt, pink Himalayan salt, and even that fancy French sea salt are all just as bad as the stuff that comes in packets at fast-food restaurants.
Beyond the salt you know you’re adding, tons of sodium is still sneaking its way onto your plate. “The general rule of thumb is that any processed or man-made food most likely contains salt—and high levels of it,” says Enright. “If it comes in a can or is pre-made and frozen, there’s salt present.” And although there remains debate over the more scary potential Published: Nov 24, 2017 (like its connection with blood pressure), too much of it can, at the very least, cause bloating and water retention.
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According to the most recent dietary guidelines, capping your salt intake at 2,300 milligrams of sodium (one teaspoon) per day is recommended, but most Americans are soaring past their salt limit. The average daily consumption is closer to 3,400 milligrams of sodium per day (about one and one third teaspoons), she says. Next time you’re grabbing groceries, look at the nutrition label and peep the sodium percentage. “Anything with five percent or less per serving is considered a low-sodium source, while 20 percent or more is considered a high-sodium source,” Enright says.
Here are five signs you might be getting too much salt:
You’re seriously thirsty
Sodium plays a starring role in helping our bodies balance fluid. “We need some salt intake each day to help maintain water balance in the body,” says Enright. “The sodium found in salt helps to keep fluid inside our cells.” When you’re thirsty, Enright says, your body is telling you that there’s not enough water to support how much sodium is in your system, so it sends a signal to your brain to drink up.
You’re battling a bad case of bloat
Salty meals tend to bring on the dreaded bloat. “When there is too much sodium floating around the blood, water leaves the cells, causing swelling,” says Enright. “Extreme levels of sodium, followed by excess levels of fluid to balance it out can lead to bloating, particularly the belly area.” You may also notice swelling in your fingers or toes after a particularly salty meal (we’re looking at you, ramen). Blame the bloat-inducing fluid imbalance.
You have a headache
If you are eating too much of the salty stuff, Enright has some easy salt-reducing strategies headache for seemingly no reason? Check your last meal. “Too much salt can cause blood vessels in the brain to expand, which can lead to painful headaches,” says Enright.
Your food tastes meh
Should Runners Always Avoid Ultraprocessed Foods Beyond the salt you know youre adding, tons of so your food tastes less delicious over time, says Enright. The more salt you eat, the more you need to get that same mouthwatering response. “Many people may not realize how much excess sodium they are taking in as a result of changing or dulling taste buds from excess salt exposure,” Enright says. In other words, it’s a slippery, salty slope.
Runner’s World Nutrition Editor Joanna Golub offers quick, healthy substitutes for those salty and sweet cravings:
How to slash your salt intake
If you are eating too much of the salty stuff, Enright has some easy salt-reducing strategies.
Stay away from the “Salty Six”
“The Guide to Mental Health has dubbed the following foods the ‘Salty Six’: bread and rolls; cold cuts and cured meats; sandwiches and burgers (particularly those from fast food); pizza; canned soups; and cooked chicken (like those frozen chicken nuggets),” Enright says.
Call on your inner chef
Foods High in Vitamin E That Boost Recovery getting takeout is a speedy way to make your sodium levels skyrocket—the menu is packed with sneaky salt. “Aim to cook more meals at home, and bring your own food to work or school so you have more control over how much salt is being added to your food,” advises Enright.
Find new flavors
When you cook, experiment with setting the salt shaker aside. “Aim to get flavors from herbs—both fresh and dried—spices, and acids like lemon juice and vinegar,” Enright says. Here are some where she directed all health and wellness coverage. Her work has appeared in that we love that you should experiment with on your next meal-prep day.
Rinse and repeat
When you can’t avoid canned goods, look for “low-sodium” or “no-salt-added” versions. “Rinsing off your beans and legumes can also help remove some of the excess salt,” says Enright. “Or consider making large batches of dried beans than contain no salt and add your own seasoning.”
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The article 4 Major Signs You're Eating Too Much Salt originally appeared on Women’s Health.
Macaela MacKenzie is a journalist who writes about women and power. She covers women’s equality through the lenses of sports, wellness, and the gender gap across industries and is the author of The Benefits of the Mediterranean Diet. side effects of excess salt Glamour tweak your taste buds Elle, Glamour, SELF, Bustle, Marie Claire, Allure, Women's Health, and Forbes among other publications.
