Salt

[Jemisa]

I know its not good for us to have too much salt but can you have too little?
I ask because my daughter has 2 small children and she has denied them salt all their lives, she never uses salt in anything or on anything. The problem is when they come to my house I use salt but not OTT, if I leave condiments on the table when we're all having a meal the kids will tip it on the table and dip their fingers in it like sherbet, I have caught them raiding the larder for the salt celler too.
I'm worried about this, I wonder if their little bodies need it & thats why they act this way.
My own children never did this so I feel this is strange behaviour.
Can anyone advise about this? Do you think they need more salt in their diet?

Jem.

[4getmenot]

We need less than 500 milligrams of sodium a day to stay healthy. This is enough to accomplish all the vital functions that sodium performs in the body - helping maintain normal fluid levels, healthy muscle function, stomach & nerve function and proper acidity (called pH) of the blood.
alot of foods have salt already in so you wouldnt need to add any more

[DEN53]

Jem - I have never added salt to cooking or on my food. I think there is enough salt in processed foods to maintain our levels - I would also imagine this is added to kiddies' foods aswell.

I would think your grandchildren see the condiments on your table as a novelty - I would keep them out of the way perhaps when they come round and lock the larder aswell, if you are concerned.

[TTG]

I only add salt to chips. Other foods seem to have enough.

[ummmm]

I hate the taste of salt but it is essential in cooking. Who's ever tried scrambled egg without salt? Or home made sauces.

[redman41]

We used to be issued with Salt Tablets at Meal times when I was in the Navy when we were in Hot Climates as salt helps retain Fluids when you tend to sweat a lot.
Surplus salt is usually washed away by the Kidneys but too much Salt in the body may cause Blood Pressure to rise.
I don't use it on my food but use it sparingly when cooking.

[beso]

Salt is not an essential ingredient in cooking.
I don't use salt in anything except a small amount on chips which I don't often have. Even then I will happily eat them with no salt.

I enjoy scambled eggs without adding salt.

Most people use salt OTT but think they don't.

There is a myth that salt enhances taste. In fact it overwhelms the subtle flavours in food.

[mollykins]

We got taught this is science; you need a small amount (most probably the 500mg 4getmenot mentioned) but you shouldn't have over that or non at all, both can be harmful.

Plus there's an Indian girl in my science group who said she was worried because she has to do a kind of fasting ceremony for i think 2 weeks, where she shouldn't have salt. He said that aslong as its only for a couple of weeks and you eat stuff that naturally has salt in it (doesn't have to be processed or added) you'll be ok.

[Panic Button]

Do your grandchildren eat bread and breakfast cereals?

There is loads (too much) alt in those two items alone.

Don't worry about them getting too little.