How To Avoid Salt When Dining Out
Average read time: 1 minute
During Salt Awareness week, which ran from 04-09 March 2019, Remco Bol, Managing Director of Unilever Food Solutions, was recently quoted as saying that he is pleased at the leaps and bounds that the South African public has made with regard to salt awareness. He attributes the success of these campaigns to the collaborative efforts of the government, the Heart and Stroke Foundation and food manufacturers who have all come together to reduce sodium consumption for a healthier Mzansi. Excessive consumption of salt can lead to high blood pressure, hypertension, heart attacks and strokes.
Did you know that, on average, a person should only consume 1 teaspoon of salt a day? But most people eat almost twice this amount, which places them at risk.
But how do you avoid salt when you’re eating out? Here are a few quick tips from the team at Unilever Health, so that you enjoy your healthy foods in a healthy way.
Tip #1 – Don’t Pass The Salt
It’s simple – just don’t add any extra salt to meals served at restaurants. Chefs usually season the meals themselves, so often there is no need to add extra salt. Drop the habit – you won’t even miss it.
Tip #2 – Ask Them Not To Add Extra Seasoning
Wherever possible, don’t be shy to ask the waiter to request that the chef avoids adding extra seasoning to your meal. The rule of thumb is to always taste before you add!
Tip #3 – Skip Salty Foods Like Bacon
Processed meats, pickled and brined foods all contain loads of salt (it’s a common food preservative) so avoid them when you’re trying to cut down on your consumption.