April 18, 2016 · Written by Foodtolive Team

Benefits of a Salt-Free Diet: How to Quit Salty Foods

While there is no arguing the fact that sodium is an essential nutrient necessary to maintain our general health, we need very little of it for our bodies to function properly. Consuming large amounts of sodium results in an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases and many other diseases. Therefore, a salt-free diet is much healthier than any meal plan that contains this element, as we can obtain a healthy amount of sodium from other food sources. 

The most important benefits of this diet are:

  • Normalized blood pressure.
    Cutting down your salt consumption rate is essential if you suffer from hypertension. An excess of sodium makes your blood pressure skyrocket, which contributes to the risk of stroke.
  • More efficient weight loss.
    Salt makes your body retain water, which increases your weight and makes it more difficult to get rid of extra pounds. A well-balanced diet with no salt, combined with an efficient exercise program, will help you lose weight faster.
  • Improved kidney health.
    Studies indicate that excessive consumption of salt increases the incidence of kidney disease.

 

Tips for Transitioning to a Salt-Free Diet

Tips for Transitioning to a Salt-Free Diet

It can be very difficult to ‘kick the habit’ of eating salt because it will take you a while to get used to the taste of foods without it. Here are some tips that might help make this transition easier and curb your salt cravings. 

  • Say ‘no’ to processed foods.
    Removing all types of processed foods is a must for any type of ‘good’ diet because these products are extremely detrimental to your health. They contain lots of salt, sugar, preservatives, and various dangerous chemicals that slowly poison you from the inside.
  • Get into spices.
    Many people say that the biggest problem with removing salt from your diet is that food becomes tasteless all of a sudden. You can solve it by using various spices to enhance the flavor of your dishes. Experiment with different combinations to discover new delicious tastes and soon you’ll forget about your salt cravings. 
  • Cook at home.
    Eating out makes switching to a salt-free diet impossible because you can’t control the food cooked in restaurants and cafes. Even if you specifically request not to use salt when preparing your meal, you can’t be 100% sure that your instructions will be followed.
  • Discover new flavors.
    Try something new whenever you get the craving for salt. A new delicious treat will take your mind off the obsessive desire for something salty. This technique will also help you train your body to taste foods properly, which will teach you to enjoy them without salt.