How much salt is too much salt?

In the IQS office, we love a little salt with our meals. A slice of grilled haloumi, a dollop of sauerkraut, a sprinkle of pink salt flakes. Yum!

But wait, isn’t salt bad for you? Well, yes… and no.

We’ll make things clear – just like anything, too much salt can harm your body. Excess salt consumption is linked to high blood pressure and heart disease. And with the average Australian eating  62 per cent more than the recommended level, it’s definitely something to be mindful of.

But…  it’s not cause to freak out and throw your salt shakers to the wind! Just like healthy fats, we’re taking the current demonising of salt with a grain of, uh, salt. Here’s why we still love to season (within reason).

Your body NEEDS salt.

Eating a diet totally devoid of salt is a surefire ticket to the doctor’s office. That’s because salt is essential for keeping your nerves and muscles functioning properly and regulating the fluid balance in your cells.

While rare, a major drop in salt levels can lead to fatigue, muscle cramps, vomiting and dangerous swelling of the brain.

If you JERF, it’s unlikely you eat too much salt.

The World Health Organization estimates that 80 per cent of the salt in our diet comes from processed foods. It could be in an obvious culprit like a packet of crisps, or hiding in expected foods like bread or canned soup.

80 per cent of the salt in our diet comes from processed foods.

So, it makes sense that if most of your salt intake is coming from the food you’re cooking from scratch, you’re much less likely to exceed the limit of 1.15–2.3g of salt per day. Plus, your taste buds will become much more sensitive to salt once you cut out the junk!

Healthy sources of salt.

To keep your salt levels in check you should choose your foods wisely, because not all salts are created equal. No, that bag of Doritos will not do! Some healthy, whole food sources of salt include haloumi, feta, sauerkraut, and sea vegetables.

And when you’re seasoning, give the highly-refined “table salt” a miss and choose a natural salt rich in minerals instead. Our personal favourite is Murray River pink salt, which is locally made and full of essential minerals – truly worth its salt!

Does salt moderation impact your food choices?

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