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Salt Detox Challenge

A diet high in sodium is associated with health risks that include hypertension, vascular and cardiac damage, and obesity. If you're consuming more than a teaspoon of salt a day, it's time break the cycle of addiction and detox your body. It's time to take Dr. Oz's 28-Day Salt Detox Challenge!

Salt is the single biggest preventable reason for high blood pressure. When salt is consumed, it activates the same part of the brain as cocaine and heroin addiction. The recommended maximum daily intake of salt for a healthy individual is 2,300 mg; if you're consuming more than that, you are putting yourself at risk for hypertension, vascular and cardiac damage, and obesity in addition to high blood pressure.

 

The Yanomami Indiands eat less than 1,000mg of salt a day - and they don't have hypertension.

 

The Japanese diet is particularly high in salt, on average containing about 15,000 mg of salt a day - and that culture has the highest rates of hypertension and stroke.

 

Break the cycle of addiction starting today. Take Dr. Oz's 28-Day Salt Detox Challenge!

  • Week 1: Detox

    Eliminate the biggest source of salt. Almost 80% of the salt we consume isn't salt that we add - it's already in processed and prepared foods. Manufacturers use salt to preserve food and "improve" the taste.

     

    Therefore, avoid all processed and prepared foods including:

    • Condiments
    • Processed meats
    • Salad dressings
    • Canned soups

    For more tips on how to replace packaged foods with fresh alternatives, click here.

    For help identifying the hidden salt shockers in your kitchen and pantry, click here.


  • Week 2: Shake the Habit

    Now that you've eliminated the salt that's hidden in prepared and processed foods, it's time to minimize the amount of salt that you add to your foods.

     

    To control the amount of salt you add daily, fill a small salt shaker with 1 tsp of salt. That is the amount of salt you can consume for that day. If you have high blood pressure, decrease that daily amount to 1/2 tsp per day.

     

    If you are struggling with this limited amount of salt, try adding an alternative listed below in week #3.

     

    For recipe low-sodium recipe ideas from a chef who successfully completed Dr. Oz's 28-Day Salt Detox, click here.


  • Week 3: Find a Salt Alt

    Learn to give your favorite foods flavor without using salt. Tasty salt alternative include, but are not limited to:

    • Garlic powder
    • Dulse flakes (a sea vegetable)
    • Nutmeg
    • Cumin
    • Lemon

    Some flavorful salt alternatives can even help you burn calories! Click here to learn about spices that boost your metabolism.


  • Week 4: Beware of Hidden Salt

    Now that you've successfully decreased your intake of salt, it's time to raise your awareness regarding hidden sodium containing compounds:

    • Monosodium Glutamate (MSG)
    • Baking soda
    • Baking powder
    • Disodium Phosphate

    Additionally, be wary of the following surprising sources:

    • Cottage cheese
    • Vegetable juice
    • Certain bran cereals
    • Low-fat potato chips


ADDED ON Wed 12/2/2009