No one would believe me when I’d try to tell them. Many years ago I asked my doctor about salt intake. He explained that as a woman in good health, I could continue to enjoy salt with no problem. In fact, he went on to explain that salt was something I absolutely wanted to have in my diet.
I have a girlfriend who has high blood pressure. She is extremely conscientious about not only her salt intake, but the intake of everyone around her. When we eat out together, my reach for the salt shaker is always greeted by her evil eye.
But according to The Balancing Act special guests, Lori Roman and Mort Satin, of the Salt Institute, many women are likely making decisions based on outdated information, which could actually have an adverse impact on our health.
One example is the twenty-five year old research which suggests that pregnant women should significantly reduce their salt intake. According to Lori, “Iodine deficiency is the number one cause of mental impairment in children.” Therefore, the iodine from salt is essential to the healthy diet of your growing baby.
Another myth is that salt leads to childhood obesity. “Obesity is the result of overeating”, reminds Mort. “Children who use salt are more likely to eat more salads and vegetables, therefore getting the added benefit of those nutrients.”
The final point made was from the outcome of a recent study by a doctor at the Einstein School of Medicine in NY. The research showed that cardiac patients who were placed on a low salt diet, actually have a higher incidence of cardiac events. Not the opposite. Now, this really made my ears perk up because after my father-in-laws heart attack a decade ago, his physician cut his salt completely. I always suspected the decline in his appetite and subsequent weight loss was due to the fact that without the flavoring of salt, my mother-in-laws cooking had become bland and much less enjoyable to him.
Hold on Pop! I’ve got good news and I’ll be there before dinner.
