It has become a
regular phenomenon that people diagnosed with hypertension
tend to stop using salt totally in their
meals.
The reason most
people give stems from the knowledge that, salt itself increases blood pressure but,
this is a bit far from the absolute truth.
Salt is chemically made-up of Sodium and
Chloride with excessive cellular concentrations of the earlier (Sodium)
responsible for increase in blood pressure. The recommended daily intake of
Sodium is 150 milligrams and can be
gotten from eating 3 grams of salt every day. Even though several studies
have proved that a reduction in Salt intake replicates in decreased blood pressure, our bodies cannot do without Sodium.
Till a new scientific
discovery proves otherwise, Salt (Sodium Chloride) is recognized as the number one source of the
very useful mineral Sodium (Na).
Salt (table/Sea) is
made-up of forty-percent (40%) Sodium and currently, no known foods are able to
supply higher and adequate amounts of it.
Sodium (Na) is a very
important mineral that our bodies need to carry out the following indispensable
functions:
1. Helps in the
maintenance of body fluid balance (a balance between the extracellular and
intracellular fluids).
2. Plays an important part in muscle contraction
including heartbeat, nerve impulses.
3. Aids in the digestive absorption of nutrients
like chloride, amino acids, glucose, and water.
4. Helps in the
neuron-transmission of impulses.
However, one should
avoid taking excessive amounts of salt because we ingest a lot of the mineral
(sodium) when we eat processed/canned foods.
HEALTHIER “SODIUM
DIET PLAN” RECOMMENDATIONS
How to reduce sodium
»Limiting the amount
of salt you add to your
dishes is the first step to reducing your sodium intake (DO NOT STOP ADDING SALT).
»Greater amounts of
the sodium ingested by individuals come from the eating of processed foods
which are mostly loaded with sodium mostly for preservation purposes. The next
step is thus, making a habit of reading the nutritional labels/information on Sodium of all processed/canned foods you buy.
»Go in for those that
indicate 5% or less Daily Value (DV) of Sodium while avoiding those with 20%
DV.
»Condiments, Fats,
and Oils like ketchup, pickles, mayonnaise, barbeque sauce, butter, and salad
dressing as well as desserts like pastries, cookies, muffins, pie, and cake
contain high amounts of sodium. These should be avoided to help reduce your
blood pressure.
»Avoid using as much
as possible canned foods and go a step further to replace them in for the
fresher/natural forms of such foods (e.g.
replace tin fish with fresh fish).
»You should avoid
eating fast (street) foods and the use of salt-filled seasonings.
IMPORTANT ADVICE: Do not combine the SODUIM DIET PLAN (reduction in sodium intake) with the POTASSIUM
DIET PLAN (increase in Potassium intake) at the
same time.
If you are going in
for the sodium diet then do not in any intentional way increase your potassium
intake (or vice-versa) as this will cause a cellular imbalance which will play
negative to your quest of reducing your blood pressure.
You should opt for
either reducing your salt (sodium) intake or increasing your potassium intake while maintaining your present salt intake. A combined
reduction in salt (sodium) intake and increased potassium intake would have
negligible effect in the reduction your blood
pressure.
NOTES
FOR HEALTH COUNSELLERS
1. Your last recommendation should be for your client to stop eating
salt.
2. The main advice is for your clients is to in a healthier-way reduce
their SODIUM intake by implementing the above HEALTHIER “SODIUM DIET PLAN”
RECOMMENDATIONS.
3. You should be strict about the recommendation that, they immediately
stop eating the following; Condiments, Fats, and Oils like
ketchup, pickles, mayonnaise, barbeque sauce, butter, and salad dressing as
well as desserts like pastries, cookies, muffins, pie, and cake.
These foods contain high amounts of sodium.
4. Explain to the client indispensable functions of sodium and the fact
that salt is the main source of sodium. From here, you can now call –in the
advice that they avoid chronic excessive intake of salt.
5. Monitor progress by asking that they check their blood pressure
everyday (if possible). This will provide you with important information for
probable change of strategy.
CONCLUSION
Your mission is to
reduce your blood pressure to a normal and healthy level, thus you should make
it a point to go all they to implement all the above recommended strategies is
you choosing the SODIUM DIET PLAN.
FOR CONSULTATION
WhatsApp Our Nutritionist- +233277279565
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