Food Friday - Salt Craving?
There is a myth that salt is not healthy, but salt in our body, like many other minerals, is necessary! There is a difference between table salt and sodium. Table salt is a compound called sodium chloride (NaCl).That means it’s made of: - Sodium (Na) → a mineral your body needs - Chloride (Cl) → another mineral that helps with fluid balance and digestion So when you sprinkle salt on food, you're getting both sodium and chloride. Sodium is just one part of salt—a single mineral (an electrolyte). In the body, sodium: - Regulates fluid balance - Supports nerve signaling - Helps with muscle contraction On nutrition labels, you’ll always see “sodium”, not “salt.” When you use salts like sea salt or mineral salt, you’re getting: - Sodium + chloride (like all salt) - Trace minerals (magnesium, potassium, calcium—small amounts, but supportive) More importantly, these salts are usually: - Used in whole food cooking - Paired with nutrient-dense meals - Consumed in a slower, more regulated way In this setting, sodium is buffered and balanced, not overwhelming your system. What Your Body Actually Feels (this is the key) With whole/mineral salt: - Supports hydration (especially with adequate water) - Helps maintain electrolyte balance - Works with your body’s natural signaling - Often improves energy and stability With processed-food sodium: - Pulls the body toward imbalance - Can contribute to: Fluid retention, Blood pressure shifts, Increased inflammatory load - Often paired with blood sugar spikes → crashes - Adds to overall stress load on the system Instead of focusing on restriction: - Cook more meals at home - Use mineral-rich salt to taste - Stay hydrated - Pay attention to how your body responds after eating