Just Say No...to SALT!

The new US diet guidelines have just been released and of course they want us to eat more veggies, fruits, whole grains, etc. The real game changer was the reduction in the recommended sodium intake. The new recommendations:

"Reduce daily sodium intake to less than 2,300 milligrams for many people and further reduce intake to 1,500 milligrams for people who are 51 and older and those of any age who are African American or have hypertension, diabetes or chronic kidney disease. Currently, people consume about 3,400 milligrams of sodium a day or about 1½ teaspoons."

This intrigued me, not because I didn't realize salt was bad, but because I had just gotten through reading up on The Gerson Therapy's (TGT) sodium free diet. I took it to be an omen! Hell, if the 'alternative' docs and the government are actually on the same page about something it must be an important component to vitality. Although, TGT calls for as close of a total elimination as possible.

In truth, TGT is an extreme therapy, an overwhelming therapy. The use of large doses of unusual liquids, like thyroid gland from a goat and iodine, is quite unnerving. The treatment is for someone with terminal cancer though, and it is no worse then chemo and radiation I imagine. I, on the other hand, am not at the point to where I am willing to try this just yet. Perhaps, at my 6 month mark if I am not where I want to be I will try this on a temp basis and see what my body thinks. There are, however, several things from TGT that I wish to incorporate right away. They are:

• Salt has gotta hit the road! This is very sad news for my taste buds and the convenience I found in using some organic, packaged foods.
• Less cucumber in the juice. They never really gave a reason that I saw for cutting out cucumber, but I have been incorporating more and more of the green leafy stuff to see if it makes a difference.
• More carrot juice! They are really into their carrot juice in TGT which makes me think I should be into it to. I am going to add more carrots in my juice each day and see what I see, more clearly! Get it? It's a carrot joke about improving your vision...anyway.
• More fresh fruit. It is difficult for me to squeeze in fruit time because I am always so busy eating veggies. Plus, according to Crazy, Sexy Diet (CSD) you aren’t suppose to mix fruit with the digestion of other food types. It's a big inconvenience all the way around!

For now, that is all I plan on tweaking. I really feel the sodium thing might give me some noticeable improvement in the swelling on my back and then in my healing. I am excited about the prospects!