More flavour, less salt

8 – 14 March 2021 is Salt Awareness Week, and it’s needed to raise awareness because many of us exceed the recommended amount of salt per day by up to a third. 75% of the salt we consume is from salt already in our foods before you even pick up that saltshaker.

The arrival of COVID-19 meant lots of us turned our hand to trying new recipes in the kitchen (there was more going on than just baking banana bread).

Seasoning our food is key to adding flavour but adding too much salt can not only ruin your meal but have a negative impact on your health too.

So next time you’re doing your best Ainsley Harriet impression in the kitchen or you’re practicing for your stint on Supermarket Sweep, try these things to reduce the amount of salt you consume:

• Use an alternative seasoning, from black pepper, garlic and fresh herbs to dried spices or chilli

• Use smaller amounts of soy sauce, tomato sauce and salad dressings, or make a homemade version

• There’s often more salt in ‘non-salty’ foods than you think, so compare food labels, things like pizza, crumpets and soup often contain more than you’d expect.

And what’s this effort for?

Well, high levels of salt can lead to raised blood pressure which puts you at a higher risk of heart disease and stroke, which is a notable concern as many people don’t know they have high blood pressure. Learn more about salt and the foods to be mindful of here.