Shake Things Up -- Salt-Free

The average American consumes 5,000 milligrams of salt per day — over three times the 1,500 milligrams recommended to help your body function properly. This excess salt can contribute to high blood pressure and bloating. Using flavorful spices instead of salt when preparing foods can help lower your intake significantly, but keep in mind that some spice combinations are loaded with salt. Be sure to examine labels of spices notorious for sky-high salt levels: lemon pepper, fajita seasoning, and meat tenderizer.
There are plenty of ways to add flavor to your food without the added salt. Fresh herbs are ideal flavor boosters. Use as many fresh herbs as you can in your recipes, including rosemary, basil, mint, oregano, tarragon, and thyme. When fresh herbs aren't available, try more exotic dried herbs like cumin, curry, cayenne, and allspice. And seeds such as sesame, anise, coriander, and mustard also add wonderful flavor. For a salt-free, flavorful lunch that looks as great as it tastes, try our Herb Lover's Salad.
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Dr. Guttersen's Tip of the Day
A Salty Process
We all know that processed foods like potato chips and cookies are a no-no on The Sonoma Diet. Part of the reason is that they are loaded with chemicals and preservatives, particularly salt (sometimes labeled sodium chloride). Unlike nature's bounty of pure veggies and fruits that are naturally tasty, processed foods contain large amounts of salt for a reason: to make up in flavor what they lack in nutrition. So go natural — your heart and blood pressure will thank you!