In addition to cholesterol and fat content, Americans also are concerned about sodium levels in their diet, says a nutrition analyst.
It takes about three months for one's taste buds to get used to lower levels of sodium, said Lynne Hill, an analyst for the Mrs. Dash line of salt-free products. After this period of adjustment, food with less salt actually tastes more flavorful."Added salt is an acquired taste that is unnecessary," said Hill. "Foods already contain enough sodium to meet human needs."
Hill, a registered dietitian, suggested the following:
-Think twice before adding salt to food. The average American consumes more than 10 pounds of salt a year, more than twice the recommended amount.
-Add a variety of tastes, textures and colors for more exciting meals, since you are likely to want to add salt when foods look boring.
-Drink water with meals rather than soft drinks. Heavily sweetened foods will dull the taste buds.
-Read packages carefully to determine the sodium level. The National Research Council, an agency associated with the National Academy of Sciences, recommends a daily minimum of 500 milligrams and a maximum of 2,400 milligrams for healthy adults.
A free booklet, "Mrs. Dash Taming Your Taste for Salt," is available. Write: Mrs. Dash, Dept. MM, Armitage Ave., Melrose Park IL 60160.