Healthy Diets

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The much-anticipated 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans were released on January 31, 2011.

There's so much good to be found in the guidelines -- and to ultimately incorporate into our daily eating routines.

"Enjoy your food, but eat less" is one important message. There's an emphasis on foods and nutrients to boost, including increasing vegetable and fruit intake as well as choosing items that provide more potassium, dietary fiber, calcium and vitamin D. The guidelines also suggest ways to reduce specific foods and food components, including sodium:

"Reduce daily sodium intake to less than 2,300 milligrams (mg) and further reduce intake to 1,500 mg among persons who are 51 and older and those of any age who are African-American or have hypertension, diabetes or chronic kidney disease. The 1,500 mg recommendation applies to about half of the U.S. population, including children, and the majority of adults."

Sodium (including salt) is an important flavor-enhancer, but its use should be limited in your kitchen.

Here are some of my favorite tips for creating a tasty meal -- without going overboard on sodium.

1. Turn up umami

Two foods in which umami (the fifth sense of taste) can be found in high quantities are shiitake mushrooms and fully ripened tomatoes. Incorporate these vegetables into eggs, pasta and other savory dishes from breakfast to bedtime.

2. Get citrusy

Sprinkle grated lemon, lime, orange or grapefruit peel onto food, as you would with salt or pepper. Squirt leafy greens with the citrus juice to balance out the taste.

3. Heighten fresh herbal appeal

Think of fresh herbs -- such as basil, tarragon and oregano -- as vegetables rather than garnishes, especially in whole-grain dishes. Grow them and use liberally.

4. Sprinkle with spice

Add earthiness with cumin. Create sweet spiciness with cinnamon. Punch up heat with cayenne pepper. Experiment with spices in both sweet and savory dishes.

5. Don't fear the shaker

It is OK to add some salt -- especially if you start with very low-sodium foods, like fresh vegetables, fruits and whole grains. In fact, adding a pinch of salt can help up your intake of healthful foods. So go ahead, shake that saltshaker -- a little!

 

Jackie Newgent is a registered dietitian, chef and award-winning author of The All-Natural Diabetes Cookbook and Big Green Cookbook: Hundreds of Planet-Pleasing Recipes and Tips for a Luscious, Low-Carbon Lifestyle. She frequently appears as a culinary nutrition expert on television. Past appearances include ABC's "Good Morning America" and NBC's "Dateline".

 

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