When told to eat less salt, most people instinctively empty the salt shaker and feel good about this positive move toward eating less salt. Wrong! Let’s take a look at where salt is lurking in the foods you eat.
77% is found in restaurant foods and processed foods we eat at home, like frozen meals or sandwich meats. Food companies and restaurants add salt to improve flavor, freshness, texture and appearance. Some foods like cakes may not taste salty but they can have a surprising amount.
5% is salt added during cooking. This amount can be eliminated, such as salt in rice or pasta water, or cut the amount of salt in half in recipes.
6% is added by salting food at the table. When you empty the salt shaker you do cut down a bit.
12% is naturally occurring in foods. If you cut down on all the other salt sources, this is a group you do not need to worry about.
