Salt as a Litmus Test

[Pug]

Is there any reason to think that people won’t unconsciously feel the lack of sodium in their favorite meals and eat more of them or similar junk to maintain their accustomed sodium intake? In other words, they might get nearly the same sodium by dint of eating more calories. That would be an undesirable outcome. Most people do not minutely micromanage their diet and wouldn’t notice the added calories until the weight was on.

Is there any solid proof that this policy would have good effects and not bad? Or would it be a huge experiment?

 

[seekerz]

Is there any reason to think that people won’t unconsciously feel the lack of sodium in their favorite meals and eat more of them or similar junk to maintain their accustomed sodium intake? In other words, they might get nearly the same sodium by dint of eating more calories. That would be an undesirable outcome. Most people do not minutely micromanage their diet and wouldn’t notice the added calories until the weight was on.

Is there any solid proof that this policy would have good effects and not bad? Or would it be a huge experiment?

Some people make any excuse to overeat, but lack of salt is a huge stretch. Sure we’ve all heard of salt shakers.

 

[didymus]

I couldn’t agree more. Without the salt, many of the processed foods would be bland, so people would be looking for even more less-healthy foods to fill that flavor gap. Maybe the government ought to outlaw processed foods altogether. That other junk in the ingredient’s list is worse for you than salt.

I really went against my better judgment and voted yes on this one.

The problem isn’t just that, say, canned veggies come loaded with half a gram of salt but they charge double for the salt-free.
So if processed food is bland, let folks discover the fact and add salt to taste.

As for the free market – I’d sure like to meet it someday. The whole processed (“junk”) food industry is a byproduct of gov’t crop subsidies: salty, fatty bacon & hot dogs are just corn in disguise; snack foods of all kinds are largely made of corn meal; soda, candy & other sweets, all high-fructose corn syrup.
That’s just corn, I’m sure the “free market” is equally distorted by subsidies to wheat and soy.

 

[Pug]

Some people make any excuse to overeat, but lack of salt is a huge stretch. Sure we’ve all heard of salt shakers.

It is not a stretch if the human body regulates its sodium intake through a fairly sophisticated physiological mechanism. If rats attempt to regulate their intake of sodium, it does not seem to be a stretch of the imagination to wonder if humans do as well. Most eating behavior that I observe among my fellow humans is not ordered to a precise, measured diet, consciously planned. It is more of a response behavior. The odd idea to me is that we somehow know how people will respond en masse to particular stimulus, absent definitive research on the topic. I can envision a variety of responses, not all of which are what the policy wants.

I agree that *some *people might start salting their tv dinners, their bacon, and their pizza. What will the majority do, though? Do we know?

 

[rwoehmke]

I agree that *some *people might start salting their tv dinners, their bacon, and their pizza. What will the majority do, though? Do we know?

My grandfather, my father, and I all worked at one time or another for a major salt producer. The exposure to all that salt left us salting our food which already contained a plentitude of salt because we couldn’t taste it. When I quit and went to University, I soon lost my need for the salt shaker. In my older age, I am required to follow a low sodium diet. I found out after a while that many foods no longer required lots of salt to taste good. We get used to certain levels of salt whether less or more in a relatively short period of time if we stick to the requirements of the diet. At this point in time the average potato chip tastes way too salty for my taste buds.

 

[Pug]

My grandfather, my father, and I all worked at one time or another for a major salt producer. The exposure to all that salt left us salting our food which already contained a plentitude of salt because we couldn’t taste it. When I quit and went to University, I soon lost my need for the salt shaker. In my older age, I am required to follow a low sodium diet. I found out after a while that many foods no longer required lots of salt to taste good. We get used to certain levels of salt whether less or more in a relatively short period of time if we stick to the requirements of the diet. At this point in time the average potato chip tastes way too salty for my taste buds.

Interesting. You are probably not unique. I’ve experienced the same, but with sugar or sweetness. Just not with salt. The imposition of a very low sodium diet turned me into what is best described as a “salt freak”. I wish no one had put me on that diet.

 

[didymus]

Here’s a slide show from the NY Times w/a linked article.
The processed food industry’s rather interesting defense is that without tons of sodium (as salt & other chemicals) their products taste awful. The photo of the guy sampling salt-free V-8 juice is precious.

 

[ALLGIRLS]

The government would simply be regulating the salt content of food produced for consumers. The consumers’ salt shakers remain in their own hands. Much the same as pasteurization of milk produced for public consumption is mandated - that doesn’t prevent any individual from drinking milk straight from the source! It simply says that if you’re going to put milk on store shelves for people to buy, it has to be pasteurized.

The government isn’t dictating my salt consumption, they are regulating the food industry’s use of salt. Two distinct issues - only one of which gov’t has the right to enforce.

Ok, what’s then to stop the government from dictating how much salt (pure salt in a container, the kind you put into a salt shaker at home) a particular store can sell in a year, or a manufacturer can make in a year? Then, once that’s gone, no more salt can be made or sold (all in the name of health). The concept is the same. Then, once you run out at home, no more salt for you for how ever many months. It’s hard to stop once you get started on the slippery slope.

In Christ,

Ellen

 

[ALLGIRLS]

You’re the one trying to have it both ways: salt content and salt intake are distinct issues; the former can be regulated, the latter is up to the individual.

How does regulation of the corporation become regulation of the individual or do you agree with the supreme court that a corporation is a person?

Is the government likely to ban the sale of salt? Not without revolt of the “let them eat cake” variety.

No, but they can “regulate” it (see my post above). What’s to stop them?

As long as salt is sold in stores, regulating salt content of food products in no way forces individuals to eat less salt - they simply would have to add it themselves, thereby making a conscious decision regarding salt intake, rather than leaving it up to the manufacturers or the government.

Because individuals are too stupid to regulate their salt intake without the government’s help, is that it?

(can you guess where I fall on this issue? Geez, in college I’d have died if I ever thought I’d be this conservative!).

In Christ,

Ellen

 

[ALLGIRLS]

When the choices are between health and illness, impacting life and death, why not? Isn’t the primary role of the government to protect? Excessive salt or terrorism, if it stops your heart it’s a threat.

You’re not REALLY comparing too much salt to wackos blowing up innocent men, women and children??? Gee. I had no idea salt was so evil!

In Christ,

Ellen

 

[ALLGIRLS]

Even frozen veggies contain sodium…

Interesting. I just went through my freezer and looked at the nutrition label on all my veggies. Corn has 0 sodium. Sugar Snap Pea Stir Fry Blend has 15 mg, while peas have 200 mg. However, under “ingredients”, the only thing listed is the vegetables themselves (not even water. Just “peas”, “corn”, and all the vegetables in the stir fry blend). So, are they lying (not putting the added salt on the ingredient list, and is that even legal?), or do some vegetables (peas) just naturally contain sodium (the way fruit contains sugar even w/out adding it)?

In Christ,

Ellen

 

[ALLGIRLS]

Here’s a slide show from the NY Times w/a linked article.
The processed food industry’s rather interesting defense is that without tons of sodium (as salt & other chemicals) their products taste awful. The photo of the guy sampling salt-free V-8 juice is precious.

Salt free V8 is gross! I bought a case of it b/c it was on sale at Aldi (Aldi doesn’t normally sell V8), thinking it wouldn’t be any different than regular V8 (I can really tell no difference b/t low fat and full fat products, so I figured it’d be the same w/ salt). I have to ADD salt to it to drink it. Which is kind of strange, since I don’t salt my tomatoes when I eat them straight (I know some people do)

In Christ,

Ellen

 

[portarica]

They do not and would not lock up your personal salt shaker. The best alternative is for you to decide on how much salt to add. The government is not dictating how much salt you eat, they are dictating how much the food processers can add. You personally can always add salt, but it plays hell trying to get it out once it is in, not? It should be obvious that regulation in this case increases your freedom or are you jerking my leg just for fun? .

But its a slippery slope, next thing you know they will be reducing the e coli content in hamburg or saying we can no longer get chicken with salmonella. Where will it stop? Only when all Americans don’t have to fear their food, but if people don’t die from food borne illnesses then our taxes will go up as they have to get covered for healthcare under the pinko commie Obamacare thingy.

Peace

 

[tjm190]

But its a slippery slope, next thing you know they will be reducing the e coli content in hamburg or saying we can no longer get chicken with salmonella. Where will it stop? Only when all Americans don’t have to fear their food, but if people don’t die from food borne illnesses then our taxes will go up as they have to get covered for healthcare under the pinko commie Obamacare thingy.

Peace

ecoli and salmonela are poisonous at every dosage and a human is best served by having none of it. This is completely distinct from restricting what may intentionally be placed in food.