A notoriously healthy choice, salads may not be all that we hoped for when it comes to the nutritious option. If you’re choosing your salad at a fast food outlet, a café or at the supermarket, it could actually be bad for you – these types of salads are loaded with salt, often more than half your daily recommended amount. Studies have shown that some salads actually contain more salt than a Big Mac!
Some of the products tested contained as much as 3.5g of salt per portion, yet the current health guidelines say that adults should eat no more than 6g of salt a day – that’s over half your daily intake in just one meal. This is a shocking discovery for those who regularly eat a salad with the belief that it is the healthier choice. The news is particularly detrimental to women as it can cause them to feel sluggish, show signs of water retention and feel bloated.
Over a period of time, these levels of salt can damage the body and cause serious health risks, such as osteoporosis and high blood pressure. You don’t have to give up your lunchtime salad though, as the study did discover some healthier options, such as Sainsbury’s ‘Be Good To Yourself’ range. Only 22 percent of the products analysed which were branded as healthy would actually receive the ‘green’ traffic light label.
For every gram of salt your remove from your diet, you reduce your risk of heart disease, stroke and heart attacks dramatically. It can be frustrating to opt for a healthy meal, only to find that it is laden with salt, but there are ways to make a more health-boosting choice. For example, swap salty ingredients such as bacon and cheese for chicken or vegetables. Limiting your salad dressings can also help make the dish healthier – don’t overfill your salad pot, and choose a salad based around beans or tuna in order to add extra nutritional benefit.
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