There
are many health problems caused by excess sodium in the blood, such as
high blood pressure, jaundice disease and other illnesses with
far-reaching effects on the body. People who suffer from high levels of
sodium should reduce the intake of foods containing large amounts of
salt, which often causes them to have to fight off "salty cravings”.
Fortunately, these cravings can be beat
with the following 12 healthy snacks and foods that will help calm the
desire for something salty without being harmful to our bodies.
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1. Peanut butter with apple
There are wonderful peanut butters on the market made from unsalted nuts, and when you combine them with apple you get a very tasty and crunchy snack that helps curb the craving for salty foods. Peanut butter has only 3 mg of sodium and a medium apple contains 2 mg of the mineral making it a healthy snack with only 5 mg of sodium. The apple contains dietary fiber that helps digestion and water that helps quench thirst, and peanut butter contains proteins that contribute to a sense of satiety, so that both together bring a sense of fullness in addition to a decrease in desire for salt.2. Natural nuts
Nuts
have a natural salinity that helps curb the craving for over-salted
foods, so the next time you want a salty snack, try going for all
natural nuts without the artificial addition of sodium. In a cup of
natural roasted almonds, there is only 1 mg of sodium and aside from
their favorite flavor, these nuts and other types contain healthy fats
that help strengthen the heart and contribute to the overall health of
the body.
3. Edamame
Edamame, or Soybeans, have become a favorite snack, especially in recent years after we discovered their unique flavor and the fact that they are especially healthy for the body. One cup of Edamame contains only 9 mg of sodium and if you want to add some salt to these beans, opt for Celtic or Himalayan salt, which surprisingly helps reduce the levels of sodium in the blood, so you will get a delicious snack containing essential proteins for the body, iron which is essential in creating red blood cells and for oxygen transfer in the body, as well as vitamin C which strengthens the immune system and helps fight various infections.
4. Popcorn
In
addition to the fact that corn grains are used as raw materials in the
preparation of many healthy foods, they can also be used as a snack to
curb your salt cravings. Home-popped popcorn is a particularly tasty
snack that contributes to a sense of satiety and helps overcome the
craving for more salty snacks, such as chips. In addition, it is an
excellent diet snack with a cup of popped-popcorn containing only 31
calories and 1 mg of sodium. Popcorn is also an excellent source of
protein which is needed to build and maintain muscle mass and maintain a
healthy immune system. You can add nutritional yeast, which can be
bought in health food stores, to your popcorn giving it a salty taste
with a small amount of sodium, or alternatively coating your popcorn in
dried herbs will give it a special taste.
5. Fresh fruits
There
are few things that can compete with the rich taste of fresh fruit,
such as banana or strawberries containing only 1 mg of sodium. Eating
these fruits and many others will contribute to the feeling of satiety
and also curb the desire for salty foods that can harm you. Furthermore,
they help to fight high blood pressure, which is a symptom of those
whose diets are rich in sodium.
6. Fruit and Veggie Shakes
Fruit
alone is wonderful for curbing cravings for salty foods, but when you
add vegetables, you have a double weapon in your hands. Drinking fruit
and vegetable shakes is a great way to fill the stomach, to feel full,
to curb the urge for salts because of their natural salt content, and to
fill the body with the vitamins and minerals it needs. To prepare the
perfect shake, mix vegetables with green leaves, natural peanut butter,
strawberries, bananas and avocados and get a super healthy drink with
less than 20 mg of sodium per glass.
7. Hummus Spread
The chickpeas used to make hummus are filled with essential proteins for the body, and thanks to their delicate natural salinity they help create a food that fights salt cravings. Make a hummus spread sandwich or eat it as a dip and enjoy a tasty snack that isn’t costing you health wise. If you buy readymade hummus, check the labels to make sure the sodium levels aren’t too high.
8. Roasted chickpeas
Apart
from eating them as a spread, chickpeas can serve as a delicious snack
in their own right. Instead of buying roasted and seasoned chickpeas
filled with salt, prepare them easily at home as follows: roast canned
chickpeas with no added salt in the oven, and add avocado or coconut oil
with spices such as paprika, curry, and cumin that add a particularly
rich flavor. Half a cup of chickpeas contains only 24 mg of sodium and
will provide you with dietary fiber that helps digestion. Additionally,
you’ll get a dose of antioxidants that repair cellular damage and
maintain a strong immune system.
9. Sunflower seeds
Sunflower
seeds definitely don’t need to be advertised! In order for you to enjoy
particularly healthy sunflower seeds, buy those that are peeled and not
roasted with salt, add them to salads or roast them in the oven with
spices, like chickpeas. These seeds are rich in amino acids that build
up cells in the body and also contain a high vitamin E content that
helps maintain liver health. A handful of sunflower seeds will calm your
craving for salty foods, but it is recommended that you don’t overdo
them because they contain fat which should also only be consumed in
moderation.
10. Kale Chips
Kale
has captured the vegetable market in recent years, and many people have
put it into their daily diet because of its many benefits. Kale
contains large amounts of vitamin K that improves the absorption of
calcium in the bones and strengthens them, preventing diseases such as
osteoporosis and physical injuries. A cup of Kale contains 25 mg of
sodium, and in order to enjoy the vegetable in a unique way, you can
turn them into chips like so: line a baking sheet, place kale leaves on
top in one layer, drizzle with oil and season with the spices you like.
Bake at 250 degrees for 10-12 minutes, take out, let them cool and
start snacking. Dying the leaves out in the oven helps to emphasize
their naturally salty taste and with the addition of spices, you get a
crispy and delicious snack that’s perfect for curbing cravings.
11. Celery sticks and carrots with a Greek yogurt dip
When
you are in the midst of a sodium-free diet, eating vegetables alone can
be a little boring and make us reach for saltier snacks. To deal with
the cravings successfully, try a natural Greek yogurt with a little
paprika and crushed garlic as a dip for carrots and celery sticks, or
any vegetable you’d like. You‘ll get a tingling of saltiness that will
reduce your desire for salt considerably and will also allow you to
benefit from all the ingredients in the snack you made. Carrots are
filled with beta-carotene which contributes to your vision and celery
quenches thirst and will provide you with dietary fiber for normal bowel
movements. The protein-rich yogurt will contribute to your overall
health and the garlic that acts as a natural antibiotic will greatly
complement this small health punch.
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