Shake Salt Out of Your Diet

Updated:2006-09-21 10:18:42

Shake Salt Out of Your Diet

By Nicole Smith, BlackDoctor.org

Don't Shake It Like a Salt Shaker

Did you know that African-American women eat more than twice the recommended 2,400 milligrams of salt a day?

Did you know that African-American women eat more than twice the recommended 2,400 milligrams of salt a day? It's true.

And that figure also includes those who think they are cutting the sodium out of their diet by avoiding snacks such as chips and fast food.

However, that's not the only place that salt can be found. In fact, only about 20 percent of your sodium intake actually comes from your salt shaker, the rest is hidden inside your food.

To find out what foods can contain a potential salt mine, take a look at the following:

Natural Remedies

Eating spicy foods is a great way to open blocked nasal passages.

1. Canned Soups Thought you were smart for sticking to soup for lunch? Not always so. A single can of Campbell's Chicken Noodle Soup contains a staggering 2290 mg of sodium. That's almost more than the total daily recommended amount. But don't press the panic button just yet. There are other choices out there. Just be careful, and always remember to take in to account the serving size when checking the sodium content.

2. Canned Vegetables Surprising, isn't it? Turns out that a mere half a cup of canned green beans can carry up to 400 mg of sodium! The better option? Stick to fresh whenever you can and when all else fails, turn to the frozen aisle.

3. Cereals Not all cereals are healthy breakfast choices. Some of them come loaded with unnecessary sodium. So be sure to check out the sodium, along with the calorie and fat content, on your next trip to the grocery store.

Foods That Serve As Natural Allergy Remedies

Eating spicy foods is a great way to open blocked nasal passages

By Crystal Pernell, BlackDoctor.org

More and more people these days are opting for organic versions of their favorite foods and hair products. So why not allergy medications? In many cases, natural alternatives to over the counter medications can work just as well.

Feeling congested?

Of course during allergy season the best way to avoid congestion is to simply avoid the things that make your allergies flare up, like pet dander, dust and pollen. But there are other congestion culprits you want to look out for.

Wheat, milk products and sugar increase your body’s mucus production and nasal irritation. Excess mucus makes your nose feel stuffy and your chest feel tight. Avoiding these products will help lessen your allergic reactions and make you feel better.

Eating spicy foods is a great way to open blocked nasal passages. Your favorite spicy foods like andouille sausage or curry chicken will help increase your blood flow bringing oxygen to your nasal passages. The extra oxygen helps thin your blood and eliminate mucus blockages.

Drinking fluids like clear broths and water will also clear congestion. They hydrate mucus membranes, helping nasal passages and lungs drain more easily.

If that doesn’t work, try using a combination of aloe and saline solution. When sprayed into your nasal passages, it helps heal dry membranes and make them less irritated. When your membranes are less irritated, you’re less likely to have sneezing fits.

Boost your immune system!

Eating dark colored fruits and vegetables, like red grapes, berries, and dark leafy greens can help build a strong immune system to fight the effects of allergies. They are full of anti-oxidants that boost cell strength by fighting off free radicals, which cause cell damage.

Remember the old advice of drinking orange juice when you don’t feel well? Brightly colored fruits and veggies are full of Vitamin C and Beta Carotene help decrease swelling and inflammation making breathing easier.

Keep up your body health

Exercising can boost your immune system and open airways. When your immune system is functioning well, it’s more able to fight off the histamine that causes allergy attacks.

Try doing 30 minutes of exercise daily. This will stimulate your immune system and help your symptoms fade. Make sure you exercise indoors to avoid allergens while you work out.

Taking yoga classes can have a similar effect. The deep breathing workouts help relax chest muscles and open airways. Yoga is also a great way to get some exercise into your day.

By following these simple practices you can avoid the heavy drugged feeling that comes from taking over the counter medicines. You will improve your overall body health and begin to feel better in no time.