Non-Toxic Salt: Choosing the Best Salt for Your Diet
Non-Toxic Salt: Choosing the Best Salt for Your Diet
Dear Reader, I can’t believe you’re still using toxic table salt.
When I first started paying attention to my diet, I never imagined that salt would become one of my passions. But as I dug deeper into nutrition and healthy eating, I realized that not all salt is created equal. Too many common brands of salt contain unnecessary additives and chemicals that can do more harm than good. If you’re on a health journey like me, swapping out your regular table salt for a healthier option is a small change that can make a big difference and I want to share my favorite salt options with you!
The Hidden Ingredients in Your Salt
When I first started learning about the importance of high-quality salt, I had no idea how drastically different it could be from the regular stuff. Naturally, I checked the label on my own salt at home and was shocked to find ingredients I couldn’t even pronounce. That sent me straight to Google, where I dove into researching salt and quickly ordered the best one I could find.
Take a look at the ingredients list on your table salt at home. You might also be surprised to see more than just “salt” listed there. Many brands add anti-caking agents like sodium aluminosilicate, potassium ferrocyanide, or calcium silicate to prevent clumping. Some also include dextrose, a type of sugar, as a stabilizer. And then there’s iodized salt, which has potassium iodide added to provide iodine—a necessary nutrient, but one that should ideally come from natural sources like seafood or dairy, not from synthetic additives in your salt.
These added chemicals are completely unnecessary. Salt, in its purest form, is just that—salt. And that’s what your body needs.
Why Sodium Matters
Sodium, the main component of salt, is an essential mineral that our bodies rely on for several critical functions. It plays a key role in maintaining fluid balance, ensuring that our cells stay hydrated. Sodium is also an important electrolyte, which helps transmit nerve impulses, contract muscles, and regulate blood pressure. Without enough sodium, your body wouldn’t function properly.
Your body needs a minimum of 500 mg of sodium daily to maintain basic functions like muscle contraction and nerve transmission.
However, it’s important to get your sodium from the purest sources possible. Processed table salt, loaded with chemicals and additives, isn’t the best choice if you’re aiming to optimize your health.
Switching to a high-quality salt is one of the easiest ways to improve your diet. I encourage you to take a look at your current table salt and see what’s really inside. If you see a long list of ingredients, it might be time to make the health swap.
One of my go-to health hacks for boosting electrolytes is adding a pinch of high-quality salt to a cup of warm lemon water.
My Personal Favorite Salts
Crucial Four’s Icelandic Flake Salt (My TOP fave!)
Why I Love It: Rich in magnesium and potassium, this salt is fantastic for adrenal support and overall mineral balance. The delicate, crunchy flakes are one of my favorite textures, making them perfect for homemade electrolyte drinks or as a finishing touch on dishes. I also appreciate how this salt is harvested. It naturally packs in nutrient-dense trace minerals like magnesium, potassium, and calcium. I find myself reaching for this Icelandic flake salt the most.
Selina Naturally’s Celtic Sea Salt
Why I Love It: This salt is unrefined, sustainably harvested, and also packed with trace minerals. It’s moist, gray crystals give an interesting briny flavor to your dishes. It’s definitely salty! The brand also has coarser and finer ground options, depending on your preferences.
Maldon Flake Salt
Why I Love It: Maladoon flake salt is interesting because of its light, pyramid-shaped crystals, making it incredibly crunchy and perfect for topping both savory and sweet dishes. Whenever I make homemade ice cream, I choose this salt!
Bonus: Maldon also offers a smoked sea salt variety that can add a little extra kick to your recipes!
Redmond Real Ancient Fine Sea Salt
Why I Love It: This is my go-to cooking salt. The flavor is consistent and concentrated—I can genuinely taste the difference when I use it! I also love how finely ground it is. A little goes a long way, and it blends with the flavors of what I’m cooking well. Mined from ancient sea beds in Utah, Redmond Real Salt is pure, unrefined, and full of natural minerals.
As you embark on your own health journey, I highly recommend starting with the basics—like salt. It’s what I did! Swapping out your processed table salt for a pure, natural alternative is a simple but powerful step toward better health. And trust me, once you make the switch, you’ll never go back.
