In this day and age of intense focus on health and fitness, I don’t know if I am the exception or the rule in terms of my daily salt intake. Throughout my life, I have never been one to indulge in excess salt. In fact, it is highly unusual to see me reach for the salt shaker at a meal, unless I am with someone else and am getting it for them. About the only thing I will toss salt on is my popcorn at the movies. Other than that, if my food ever needs a bit of kick, I’ll opt for a sprinkling of pepper instead.
There are those among us, however, who cannot resist the taste of salt on our foods. I have witnessed many people in restaurants or during other occasions where food is the pivotal focus literally dancing with the salt shaker above their plates. My nearly 106-year-old grandmother is no exception. She does not salt her food. She foods her salt. She will also take the shaker and pour salt directly onto the palm of her hand and then lick it all up. This is not a new habit. She has done this for decades…well, practically centuries now! In her “younger” days, we all used to joke that for Christmas we would just buy her a salt lick and set it up in the backyard so she could enjoy it at her leisure. For Grandma, her salt intake over the decades is what I presume has kept her well-preserved. For those of us not quite made of the stuff of which my grandmother is, salt can play a decidedly different role in our health.
If you are one of the hundreds of thousands who suffer from diseases such as osteoporosis or arthritis, a healthy diet can relieve some of those aggravating symptoms associated with those diseases. Salt is a well-known risk factor for osteoporosis. The old adage, “you are what you eat,” really has some validity. Just losing a few extra pounds will do wonders not only for your physique, but for your overall feeling of well-being.
If you desire to establish a healthy diet to eliminate those inflammatory foods that contribute to the pain of arthritis, for example, you can begin by removing foods that you believe aggravate your condition. For example, remove dairy products, wheat, tomatoes, and caffeine. Avoid consuming these items for at least a month. After a month, gradually incorporate these items one at a time back into your diet to see which ones might be contributing to your pain and stiffness.
Be sure to stay hydrated! Drink plenty of water throughout the day, at least six to eight glasses. In fact, some studies have shown that those who have arthritis can actually notice improvement if they drink more than that amount on a daily basis. Coffee, surgery-laden drinks and alcohol do not count as part of the hydration process. They will actually serve to dehydrate you, the exact opposite of what you want.
Cut back on the consumption of red meat and learn to enjoy more fish, such as salmon and tuna. Walk right past the bakery and head over to the fruits and vegetables section. If you have a sweet tooth like many of us do, opt for fresh or dried fruits to satisfy that craving. If you are a chips and dip kind of person, give sliced veggies with hummus dip a try! You may be pleasantly surprised.
Discover the power of seeds! Pumpkin seeds are a great snack option. Add some flax seeds to your morning cereal. I have even been recently introduced to apricot seeds. They hold an interesting flavor, but it is advisable to only consume a few of these each day.
Consider soy products instead of dairy products. Instead of throwing a frozen dinner into the microwave, think fresh! Prepare your meals with fresh groceries. Have you forgotten what delicious tastes like?
Whole grains, such as barley and brown rice, are great compliments to a healthy diet, and when cooking, use olive oil instead of butter and margarine.
Although some folks might not like to hear this, a good diet can only be great when supplemented by regular exercise. Increase your activity level with the approval of your doctor. Get up and get moving! Then, after a full day of lots of fun and an assortment of healthy goodies, settle into bed and aim for an average of eight hours of sleep each night. (I have a lot of work to do in this department!)
Again, it is advisable not to follow my grandma’s diet plan. Three visits a week to McDonald’s and a salt shaker in the purse do not make for a healthy meal plan. It works for Grandma, however, and I would not be surprised if she salted her cereal in the morning. “Flax? What’s flax? In my day, we salted everything. And we used grease every chance we got. Salt and grease. What more do you need in your pantry?” she’ll quip.
Please take that particular dose of advice with a proverbial grain of salt. That’s really all you need…a grain of salt. By following a healthy diet, your joints and your body will repeatedly thank you for it! So will Grandma. That just means for salt for her! Maybe one day we will all be at the dinner table and someone will comment, “Would you please pass the flax?”
(Information for this article was found at www.arthritis-glucosamine.net/blog/osteoarthritis-diet.php)