Enjoy More Herbs, Less Salt Day on August 20 by reassessing your sodium intake. We understand that maintaining a balanced, healthy diet is easier said than done — especially since the flavor suffers the most, but healthy eating is no longer bland and boring! Spices and aromatic herbs are a great way to reduce salt in meals and amp up the taste. Your taste buds won’t know what they are missing, and your body will be grateful.
History of More Herbs, Less Salt Day
The origins of More Herbs, Less Salt Day are unknown, but the holiday was created in an effort to make people analyze their diets and reduce the amount of sodium in it. As one of the key ingredients in most meals, and shaken on top of food, the recommended daily amount of salt is exceeded without most people realizing it.Salt isn’t exactly bad for us, but as with everything else, too much of a good thing can do more harm than good. Sodium is an important electrolyte needed by our bodies for nerve and muscle function. However, excessive intake of salt can have negative results like hypertension, heart disease, and bloating. Cardiovascular disease can lead to a stroke, heart attack, and even death. The renal function of kidneys can also be severely damaged, as blood flow to the kidney tissue is disrupted. Tests done on mice also show a linkage with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease due to high sodium intake,The Dietary Reference Intakes (DRI) recommended daily consumption of salt less than 1500 milligrams. Fast food utilizes a lot of salt and is a large contributor to increasing the intake of salt in our bodies. Many one-time fast food meals contain 2000 milligrams or more of salt! This is why it is important to prepare meals at home and control the amount of salt going into our meals. More Herbs, Less Salt Day aims to encourage people to enhance the flavor of their food using herbs and spices instead of heaping large amounts of salt. This way the taste won’t be compromised, and may even turn out better.This is why it is important to prepare meals at home. It gives us control over how much sodium goes into our meals.EAting less salt is an excellent idea for everyone regardless of age or overall health. Most Americans eat more processed foods than they should, which is the #1 culprit of adding additional salt to our diet but reducing salt is obvious when you add more flavor with fresh herbs. If you don’t have an herb garden, the good news is most grocery stores stock fresh herbs in the produce section. This time of year is perfect for fresh basil, cilantro, and parsley, but you can also find fresh rosemary, dill, sage, and other several herbs. On the other hand, a diet low in sodium is linked to increased cognitive function and overall health.
More Herbs, Less Salt Day timeline
Moorish merchants trade salt in exchange for gold In the Sub-Sahara,
The Dietary Reference Intake is introduced, broadening the existing Recommended Dietary Allowances guidelines.
The average consumption of sodium in 33 countries ranges from 2700 to 4900 milligrams per day.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that adults consume no more than 5 grams (just under a teaspoon) of salt per day.
More Herbs, Less Salt Day FAQs
Is salt good for humans?
Salt is an essential nutrient for the human body, balancing fluids in the blood, and regulating blood pressure. It also supports healthy muscle and nerve functions.
What is the difference between sea salt and table salt?
The main differences between sea salt and table salt are in their tastes, texture, and processing.
Which salt is lowest in sodium?
Celtic salt has the least amount of sodium and the highest content of magnesium and calcium.
How To Celebrate More Herbs, Less Salt Day
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Read food labels
Find out how much sodium is in your grocery food, and adjust accordingly, or cut back completely. Some brands have more sodium in their products than others, so be a wise shopper!
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Prepare a no-salt seasoning blend
Get experimental and use different herbs and spices to create the perfect seasoning that you can use instead of salt. It will take time to get right and get used to the absence of salt, but with the variety of ingredients easily available, you’ll have a winning recipe!
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Grow fresh herbs in your garden
Growing herbs in your garden is quite simple and less expensive than buying organic from stores. Rosemary, Thyme, and other herbs require little effort for planting, and can really elevate the taste of a dish as compared to salt.
5 Facts About Salt That You Should Know
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A spoonful of salt
Consuming just one teaspoon of salt exceeds the daily recommended amount of sodium.
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That’s a lot of salt
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that the average American consumes 3400 milligrams of salt daily. This is nearly 35% more than the recommended daily intake.
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Higher risk of Osteoporosis
The more salt we eat, the more calcium we lose from our body through urination. This also makes us vulnerable to diseases like Osteoporosis.
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May increase the risk for stomach cancer
According to a study published in the 2014 journal of Cancer Treatment and Research, a high-salt diet is linked to stomach cancer.
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Salt is addictive
Some studies found that salt affects our brain the same way some drugs and cigarettes do.
Why We Love More Herbs, Less Salt Day
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It encourages smart grocery shopping
The amount of preservatives, additives, sodium, and more that go into prepackaged food is insane! Holidays like More Herbs, Less Salt Day encourage people to be mindful about their grocery shopping, and be smart about what they are buying, and eating.
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Home cooking
The only way to minimize sodium intake and control how much of it we are consuming is to switch to cooking meals at home.
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Herbs and spices are fantastic!
The taste, aroma, and lightness of herbs and some spices are phenomenal! Meals become more appetizing, like simmering pasta sauce, the smell of garlic, etc.
More Herbs, Less Salt Day dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | August 29 | Tuesday |
| 2024 | August 29 | Thursday |
| 2025 | August 29 | Friday |
| 2026 | August 29 | Saturday |
| 2027 | August 29 | Sunday |
