How do you give up salt?

[Redpoppy]

I am a new raw foodist and am amazed at how much better I already feel eating raw and working out regularly. I am even eating sprouts out in the snow on my lunch hour while all my co-workers are driving off to Italian and Chinese restaurants for hot meals -- so I am committed! But, I am craving salt like crazy! I have arthritis, which is the main reason I began studying about foods and diets, and am too 'sensitive' to even have vinegar, Bragg's Liquid Aminos, tamari -- in fact, I cannot even have corn -- my joints swell up and I'm in extreme pain. As good as sea vegetables are for us, I even have trouble trying to add them in to a dish because of the sodium. So, I am looking for any information on what any of you may have done to stop your salt cravings. I had read that adding celery would help - and it does a little in salads. Any ideas, anyone? Thank you!

[Lady Green Jeans]

Never been a salt person (pepper is another story) but I used sea salt sparingly, just enough to "open" or balance the flavors. Lemon will also assist with this to some point and herbs will help with the balance. Add a little, taste, add more, taste again. Repeat until perfect on your palate.

Have you tried some of the new Celtic sea salt? I sent some to my mom and she called me to tell me how "salty" it was--nearly ruined her dish. Well she now knows it is the real stuff, not the supermarket dead chemical laden product labeled as salt. Anyway a little goes a long way.

[michigan roman]

hi redpoppy , ive fought this same salt war and its my opinion that you have to get the ideas of people whom believe salt is bad for you registered in your mind to give you the strength to fend off cravings . and a good place to start is by going to the top of this page and clicking search , then type in opinions on salt in diet wanted . there youll find opinions pro and con , but in the con youll here some good arguments against salt that may strengthen your resolve . good luck

[Sheryl]

Something interesting to note is that I've read that sea salt does not have the same negative effects on the human body as processed, cooked, bleached table salt (ie links to high blood pressure). Most doctors probably lump all salt together, but personally I don't find that the case. I've also talked to lots of clients who swell and have issues with table salt, but don't on sea salt (and presumably sea vegetables too).

I'm not sure specifically what your reasons are for avoiding salt. Sodium in processed foods is high, and people can easily get more than they need... you might find in natural foods the sodium you are craving meets your needs without exceeding the amount you want to have.

I think cravings for salt can also be attributed to a need for more minerals... more dark leafy greens could be good. Some people also dehydrate and grind up celery and use that as a 'salt free' option for seasoning foods. It has quite a salty tang, and would still have the natural balance of minerals in the celery.

Cheers,
Sheryl

[SamuelWilson]

http://www.alissacohen.com/images/pics/products/food_new/seasalt.jpg

Celtic Sea Salt is a living salt harvested from the ocean. Because it is a living unprocessed sea salt, it is considered part of a complete and well balanced living foods diet.

Click here to purchase Celtic Sea Salt from Alissa => http://www.alissacohen.com/seasalt.html (http://www.alissacohen.com/seasalt.html)

[exurb]

my jury is still out on the details of salt in general, but I will say that by eliminating processed foods, restaurant foods, packaged and prepared foods/convenience foods, you have already eliminated a LOT of salt. I have read some articles that some people are actually eating too little salt, but I really don't know what the right balance is or exactly how it works or if that's all true about raw sea salts being so much different with respect to the blood pressure etc, but I think the broader population is eating sh*tloads of salt in all that "corporate" food, that when you pare it down to good raw food, you can perhaps afford to add a little sprinkle here and there of some tasty whole unprocessed salt and not worry about it.

If you still want to cut it out, I have read fairly credible information that you have to cut it out entirely for about two weeks, then your taste will adjust, your taste for salt will be recalibrated so that you will taste natural salts and flavors in food and at that point if you went back to previous salt levels, it would taste way saltier to you.

Just make sure you keep some iodine in your diet, much of the population would be iodine deficient, that is why they originally put iodine in commercial salt.

[Redpoppy]

Thanks so much for the great advice and encouragement on the 'salt' issue. I will certainly give some of your suggestions a try. :)

What a great site!

Thanks again.

[rawpriestess]

Alissa, the owner of this forum, sells Celtic Sea Salt, so if you wish to try real salt with a fantastic taste and that is good for you, you may wish to try it.

I have never been a salt person myself, however, if I were I would eat celery, and olives, hot peppers, and vinegars, I feel they are good for you, and will give you that alkalie type of taste.

sometimes I crave olives or pickles, so that may be a salt craving for me, but I would never add regular salt to any foods, Celtic sea salt is nice.

You may wish to try some of these ideas.