Last year I invited readers to take the salt challenge:  Go shopping and find 10 no-sodium snacks or can goods in 10 minutes!

I think now is a good time to revisit that challenge. Why?

According to recent findings that differ very little from previous studies, Americans are still consuming more sodium than recommended. Regardless of age, race, gender and high blood pressure (hypertension) status, 2,300 milligrams (mg) of sodium is still too much for most.

My original challenge listed my top 10 things you can do to stay healthy. They are:

1. Know the difference between salt and sodium.
2. Recognize how easy it is to lose sight of and be misled by the term ‘daily value.’
3. Start looking at your family traditions and comfort foods.
4. Become proactive.
5. Snack away, but make healthier choices.
6. Cut down on eating out so much.
7. When you do eat out choose wisely.
8. Stay hydrated by drinking more water.
9. Keep an eye on the sodium found in coffee dairy creamers.
10. Get and stay connected.

 

To read my original challenge with more of my favorite food and beverage images, details for each tip and more, click here.

If you think about taking the challenge or find this information helpful, please like this post. If you actually take the challenge, please comment/let me know how it turns out!

Good luck and stay healthy!

 

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Suggested links:

• 2015–2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (health.gov)
• HHS and USDA Release New Dietary Guidelines to Encourage Healthy Eating Patterns to Prevent Chronic Diseases (hhs.gov)
• MyPlate (choosemyplate.gov)
• Million Hearts® recipes and more (hhs.gov)

 

Credits: Lays & Pepsi image by Joe Raedle/Getty Images; Chicken Dinner image by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images.