In addition to rising costs and the challenge of smaller cooking amounts, many aging adults must reduce sodium intake due to medical conditions or for personal health.
Recently, one of my Cent$ible Nutrition Program participants asked about the amount of sodium in the frozen precooked diced chicken that I use in my “Build Your Own Skillet” recipe. When I got back to the office, I decided to look up sodium statistics. I was surprised to learn that more than 70% of all sodium consumed is from packaged, prepared, and restaurant foods, not from a saltshaker.
If you want to lower the levels of sodium used in cooking, you can also add different flavor profiles to create a new and unique flavor. Cooking with aromatics like onions, garlic, celery, carrots, and herbs can help build flavor and keep the sodium down. Homemade salsa also makes a powerful addition to meals and, since they are homemade, you can control the amount of sodium added to the meal.
Here is a simple salt-free seasoning from Allrecipes.com
This all-purpose salt-free seasoning blend uses pantry staples like garlic powder, onion powder, and dried herbs. It mimics the flavor of popular store-bought blends, making it perfect for chicken, roasted vegetables, or soups without adding any sodium.
If you want to lower the levels of sodium used in cooking, you can also add different flavor profiles to create a new and unique flavor. Cooking with aromatics like onions, garlic, celery, carrots, and herbs can help build flavor and keep the sodium down. Homemade salsa also makes a powerful addition to meals and, since they are homemade, you can control the amount of sodium added to the meal.
Here is a simple salt-free seasoning from Allrecipes.com
This all-purpose salt-free seasoning blend uses pantry staples like garlic powder, onion powder, and dried herbs. It mimics the flavor of popular store-bought blends, making it perfect for chicken, roasted vegetables, or soups without adding any sodium.
Ami Willadson is a Cent$ible Nutrition Program (CNP) educator in Natrona County. CNP provides free nutrition and physical activity education to Wyoming residents with limited resources.
Visit the Wyoming Cent$ible Program for healthy, budget-friendly recipes and to learn more about CNP programming in your area.
As we age, our bodies change, and we might start to feel pain in places we may not have before. According to the Centers for Disease Control, about 1 in 4 people have been diagnosed with arthritis (https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db497.htm).
As we age, our muscle mass and strength decline. Physical activity can help prevent this decline and help you find and maintain your balance. Being mobile, strong, and steady on your feet can help you stay independent as you age. This can increase your confidence and well-being, as well as reduce your risk of falling.
