Hiding the salt shaker is smart move By Linda Kapusniak Nutrition Linda Kapusniak Nutrition Salt is just about everywhere. In our busy world of frozen dinners and fast food, salt is a substance none of us are short of.
Sodium is a nutrient that our body needs to function properly.
The American population gets most of its sodium from salt. But the average American consumes 4,200 mg per day, which is twice the recommendation. Suprisingly, only 15 to 25 percent comes from the salt shaker, and 10 percent comes naturally from food. Most of our sodium, about 75 percent, is from processed foods and restaurants. The U.S. Department of Agriculture releases new dietary guidelines every five years.