Regarding SALT . . .

Using Salt in the Whole30 AIP

Yesterday someone had a question about whether or not it was okay to use salt on the Whole30 AIP Challenge.  I did some research last night and found this information in the Whole30 source book, It Starts with Food.

Page 191 under Spice It Up

" . . . Most of the salt in an unhealthy diet comes from processed foods--which we are no longer eating.  So feel free to add a few shakes to your meals, alternating between iodized table salt (often the only source of valuable iodine in our diet) and sea salt. Just be sure to read the label . . . . ."

And on Page 38 

"Sweet, fatty, and salty tastes send pleasure and reward signals to the brain.  In nature, these signals were designed to lead us to valuable nutrition and survival.  Today, these flavor sensations are unnaturally concentrated in food, which is simultaneously stripped of valuable nutrition.  This creates food-with-no-brakes--supernormally stimulating, carbohydrate-dense, nutrient-poor foods with all the pleasure and reward signals to keep us overeating, but none of the satiety signals to tell us to stop." 

That statement describes "junk food" salt.  We do need to stay away from that! 

The Bottom Line . . . 

It's okay to use salt! But, use healthy pure salt. The kind I use is Pink Himalayan.  You can get it at Trader Joe's or any health food store.  Salt has gotten a bad reputation, but it isn't healthy salt that is the problem.  It is the "Frankenstien" salt that has been developed by food companies that is unhealthy and addictive and found in nearly all processed and fast food. Since we are not eating that junk anymore we are safe!  

Feel free to use some real salt to season your food!  

Here is some information from Dr. Mercola's website about the benefits of salt.  There is also an interesting video on his site about the history and benefits of salt. 

13 Benefits of Using Himalayan Sea Salt

1. Regulating the water content throughout your body
2. Promoting healthy pH balance in your cells, particularly your brain cells
3. Promoting blood sugar health and helping to reduce the signs of aging
4. Assisting in the generation of hydroelectric energy in cells in your body
5. Absorption of food particles through your intestinal tract
6. Supporting respiratory health
7. Promoting sinus health
8. Prevention of muscle cramps
9. Promoting bone strength
10. Regulating your sleep -- it naturally promotes sleep
11. Supporting your libido
12. Promoting vascular health
13. In conjunction with water, it is actually essential for the regulation of your blood pressure

Hope this helps!

Zia