Salt-Free (818)

When you’re working on health goals, don’t forget to pay attention to salt in your diet—too much extra salt can wreak havoc on your body. Salt is made from two minerals: sodium (Na) and chloride (CI). Many foods, like beets and celery, contain sodium naturally, but in much lower amounts than what you find in a box pulled from grocery shelves. Because salt notoriously lurks in fast food favorites, restaurant dishes, and packaged meals, if you’re aiming to lower your salt intake, the best place to start is right in your own kitchen. Remember, making your own meals means you get to control everything that goes on your plate.

What Is Salt-Free?

Going salt-free is sometimes called a “Cardiac Diet” because of the potential to benefit your heart. Sodium is a component of salt (see the chemistry lesson above), and it’s an essential element for your body to function properly—it supports your nervous system, muscle contraction, and balancing fluids. Yet too much of it can be damaging, which is why many people opt to limit the amount of both salt and sodium they eat.

Tips for Going Salt-Free

Avoiding packaged food is a great first step, but if you can’t live without your favorite brownie mix or can of soup, see if the brand makes a low-salt option. Instead of going out to eat or ordering takeout, aim to cook most nights of the week. Working with fresh ingredients in your own kitchen is one of the best ways to limit your salt intake. You can still add lots of flavor to everything you make—consider spices, vinegars, and other acids like lemon and lime your friends.

Top Salt-Free Brands

Thrive Market makes it easy to stock your pantry with brands that are lower in salt than their conventional counterparts.

Kettle & Fire

Kettle & Fire makes broths with grass-fed bones and other wholesome ingredients like organic veggies and apple cider vinegar. Although the broth does have some sodium (it’s not 100 percent salt-free), it’s paired with other good-for-you nutrients.

Kettle & Fire Grass-Fed Beef Bone Broth

This broth is made from 100 percent grass-fed beef bones, and delivers naturally-occurring vitamins and minerals that will do your body good.

Bob’s Red Mill

Bob’s Red Mill is known for its use of unprocessed grains and old-school milling techniques. The brand launched in 1978 and has been producing products in a traditional stone mill ever since.

Bob’s Red Mill Superfine Almond Flour

Ground from whole almonds into an extra fine meal, this alternative flour is ideal for grain-free baking and Paleo diets.

Thrive Market

Spice up your diet with everything from dried rosemary and sage to yellow mustard seed and coriander, all organic and blended without salt. Our collection is great for adding flavor to your meals without putting your salt-free diet at risk.

Thrive Market Organic Coriander Seed

Coriander, also commonly known as cilantro, is an herb with fresh leaves and dried seeds that are both used in cuisines around the globe. The nutty, citrusy flavor of Thrive Market’s Organic Coriander Seeds seeds is unmistakable, and adds complexity and brightness to everything from pickled veggies to pastries to curries and beyond.

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