Canadians salt consumption
According to data compiled in 2004 by Health Canada, the average salt intake is 3400 mg per day. Normally, it is recommended to consume a maximum of 1500 mg to 2300 mg of salt per day. The study found that 58% of Canadians and 72% of children between the ages of 4 and 13 exceed their sodium intake recommendations.
Too many pre-packaged and processed foods contain high amounts of sodium. Soups, sauces, meats, cheeses and breads are foods to be mindful of. Make better choices by reading the labels on the foods you buy. Ideally, 5-15% of sodium per portion is acceptable. Even better would be to eat as much of a whole food diet as possible without the use of processed foods. Cooking at home makes it easier to control the intake of sodium for us and our family.
Not every salt is made equal
Table salt is made from sodium chloride. But it doesn't stop there, usually an anti-caking agent (calcium silicate) is added to it to prevent it from clumping up in the presence of moisture. It is also necessarily fortified in Canada with iodine. The purpose for this was to eliminate many cases of goiter - an enlarged thyroid gland caused by a deficiency in iodine. But iodine is naturally found in other sources such as fish, legumes and dairy products. Lastly, sugar is oftentimes added to this type of salt to stabilize the iodine and distribute it evenly.
Sea salt on the other hand is simply the product of the process of evaporation of seawater. No iodine added. Within this process, certain other minerals will remain in the salt flakes which makes it a more whole and natural choice. Although it is a better option, we should not overdo it with any kind of salt. Salts in general will tend to adversely affect kidney health and eliminate calcium through the urine, making it more likely to develop osteoporosis.
Herbamare: a tasty and healthy choice!
I've personally discovered Herbamare salt and herb mixes when I started dating my husband, 12 years ago. His mother's kitchen was fully stocked with many Herbamare products. I was intrigued and as soon as I tasted for the first time, I was hooked!
You get the good sea salt taste and those nice herb flavors, all in one. It seasons any meal perfectly. Even simply sprinkled on slices of raw veggies, it makes for the perfect snack: my kids and I love it!
What makes Herbamare stand out as one of the healthy choices of salt, is that it is prepared with ⅓ less salt than regular table salt.
It is made with organic herbs and vegetables and contains no additives or preservatives. It is actually made with twelve kinds of aromatic herbs and vegetables, such as: parsley, chives, basil, marjoram, lovage, rosemary and thyme to which is added celery, leek, garlic, watercress and onion. And of course, Herbamare is free of any MSG and GMOs. For naturally occuring iodine, kelp (a sea vegetable / algae) is put into the mix.
Another plus is that Herbamare enhances the flavours of food and oftentimes we can use less than table salt.
Creating Herbamare
Creating Herbamare salt and herb mixes is a long and meticulous process that is based on freshness and the preservation of it. It all starts with the harvesting of the aromatics from the organic farmers then transferred to A.Vogel's production center in Colmar, France. Within 8 hours of being harvested, the vegetables and herbs are being sorted out, then chopped and macerated. The maceration process takes 3 to 18 months. From there, the salt mixes are dried out before being sifted, mixed and then packaged. This is always done with care and freshness at top of mind, as this is A.Vogel's number 1 criteria.
Lastly, in case you didn't know, there are different kinds of Herbamare herb and salt mixes to choose from!
- There is Herbamare Original. It contains the 12 herbs and vegetables and sea salt. It can be used to enhance the flavours of your favorite meals and can replace plain sea salt.
- Herbamare Spicy is the same base as the original with an added spicy kick to it! Cayenne pepper is added in this recipe. It is used especially in spicier recipes, like pizzas, bbq, pastas, and Mexican food.
- Sodium free Herbamare is prepared with potassium chloride, magnesium chloride, organic aromatic herbs and fresh vegetables as well as seaweed kelp rich in iodine and in mineral salts. Herbamare Sodium Free contains no sodium, which is why it is particularly suitable for a diet low in salt.
I love discovering how my food is made. As the saying goes... you are what you eat, so for me and my family it is important to have this knowledge and connection. It brings a sense of gratitude and awareness that expands beyond my plate.
References:
https://plus.lapresse.ca/screens/4c2d3504-53bd-61d3-a440-2fb1ac1c606a__7C___0.html
https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/1078559/reduire-consommation-sel-canada-canadiens-processus-laborieux
https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/1114326/canadiens-consommation-sel-sante-canada-rapport
https://www.avogel.ca/fr/avogel-monde/herbamare.php
