Thursday, February 11, 2016

American Heart Month - Your Heart and Sodium

From Purdue Extension-Starke County:
This week for American Heart Month we're talking about sodium! Excess sodium can increase your blood pressure and your risk for heart disease and stroke. Together, heart disease and stroke kill more Americans each year than any other cause. Most of the sodium we consume is in the form of salt, and the vast majority of sodium we consume is in processed and restaurant foods. So, what are some ways to reduce your sodium intake?
You can:
■ Buy fresh, frozen (no sauce), or no-salt added canned vegetables.
■ Use fresh poultry, fish, pork, and lean meat, rather than canned or processed meats.
■ When available, buy low-sodium, lower sodium, reduced-sodium, or no-salt-added versions of products.
■ Limit sauces, mixes, and “instant” products, including flavored rice and ready-made pasta.
■ Compare Nutrition Facts labels on food packages for percent Daily Value or amount of sodium in milligrams.
For more information on sodium intake and heart health, check out http://www.cdc.gov/salt/ and http://www.cdc.gov/salt/pdfs/Sodium_Tip_Sheet.pdf. As always, please feel free to call the Extension office with any questions you may have. We're happy to help!

No comments: