Reducing Salt in Human Diets - A New Invention Concept

It has been said that Americans have too much salt in their diet, but we are hardly alone around the world. Everyone is looking for a certain taste, and humans have evolved to seek out those tastes. However, too much salt is not good, and it could lead to other challenges. Therefore, most medical professionals and most of the research I've read tends to support the reality that we need to reduce the salt in our diets throughout our population. Okay so let's talk about this for second shall we?

You see, even those folks that watch the amount of salt intake don't realize that they are getting far more than even they might have considered, and generally, that amounts to much more than they need also. Now then, as I was considering this challenge the other day; how to get humans to reduce their salt intake it occurred to me that there might be ways to trick the human mind, and yet still satisfy the need and the taste buds. Let me explain a few concepts and innovations that could help us do just that.

Bumps on spoon
Salt Smell on Chop Sticks
Edible Tape Around Spoons, Forks, Chop Sticks

If they spoon had bumps on it, the mind might assume that those bumps were salt crystals, thus triggering the taste buds to seek out the salt. The salt wouldn't actually be on the spoon, but there might be a little bit in the food, since the taste buds were seeking out that salt taste, they would be more apt to find it in the food, even if there was a drastically reduced amount.

Next, it might be possible to create nano-particles embedded within the spoon or fork, or perhaps even on chop sticks that smelled like salt, therefore once again triggering the mind into believing it is getting salt, when it really isn't, or when that salt has been drastically reduced. This might be very good for an orbiting space station, or even a lunar or Martian colony, where such things as food additives would be in short supply.

Lastly, another concept I had come up with would be edible tape, a small strip which could be placed around the lower handle of the spoon or fork which smelled like salt. On chop sticks the tape could be placed about the distance between where the food would normally be grabbed by the chopsticks and the distance from the center of the mouse to the nose, which is about an inch or less.

A Gluten free product is a diet that excludes the protein gluten. It is found in grains such as wheat, barley, rye and triticale (a cross between wheat and rye). It causes inflammation in the small intestines of people with celiac disease. Gluten free products are used to treat celiac disease. Eating gluten free foods helps people with celiac disease control their signs and symptoms and prevent complications.

It's may be frustrating to follow a gluten free diet. But with time, patience and creativity, you'll find there are many products that you already eat that are free from gluten and you will find substitutes for foods that contain gluten that you can enjoy.

It's surprising to realize how many products contain zero gluten, such as bread and pasta, are now available. Many specialty grocery stores sell gluten free products. If you can't find them in your area, check with a celiac support group or go online. For a starter, it's a good idea to consult a dietitian who can answer your questions and offer advice about how to avoid gluten while still eating a healthy, balanced diet.

Foods that are allowed

Many healthy and delicious foods are naturally gluten-free:

Beans, seeds, nuts in their natural(unprocessed form), fresh eggs, fresh meats, fish and poultry (not breaded, batter-coated or marinated), fruits and vegetables, most dairy products.

It's important to make sure that they are not processed or mixed with gluten-containing grains, additives or preservatives.

Many grains and starches can be part of this diet:

Amaranth, arrowroot, buckwheat, corn and cornmeal, flax, gluten-free flours (rice, soy, corn, potato, bean), hominy (corn), millet, quinoa, rice, sorghum, soy, tapioca, teff.

Foods to avoid

Avoid all food and drinks containing:

Barley (malt, malt flavoring and malt vinegar are usually made from barley), rye, triticale (a cross between wheat and rye), wheat.

Avoiding wheat can be challenging because wheat products go by numerous names. Consider the many types of wheat flour on supermarket shelves - bromated, enriched, phosphated, plain and self-rising. Here are other wheat products to avoid:

Bulgur, durum flour, farina, graham flour, kamut, semolina, spelt.

Foods without labeling 'gluten-free' should be avoided too

Beer, breads, cakes and pies, candies, cereals, cookies and crackers, croutons, french fries, gravies, imitation meat or seafood, matzo, pastas, processed luncheon meats, salad dressings, sauces, including soy sauce, seasoned rice mixes, seasoned snack foods, such as potato and tortilla chips, self-basting poultry, soups and soup bases, vegetables in sauce.

Certain grains, such as oats, can be contaminated with wheat during growing and processing stages of production. For this reason, doctors and dietitians generally recommend avoiding oats unless they are specifically labeled free from gluten.

Breakfast Alternatives to Cereal

For those of us who are lactose intolerant, allergic to wheat/gluten, or just haven't found a cereal we like, it can be difficult to find an alternative breakfast to prepare the body for another day. Oatmeal just doesn't seem that appetising when you've got an insatiable sweet tooth.

One of the best ways to start the day is a bountiful stack of pancakes topped with a syrup of your choice (I prefer maple, personally). The amount of calories depends on which pancakes mix you use, but you can expect to intake a little under 300kcal for around 4 average-sizes pancakes. Not bad at all considering how filling and satisfying of a meal it is.

Although there is an urban legend which says that they originated from sailors wanting to use up all of their eggs as there was no way to store them, the idea of pancakes has actually existed for well over 2,400 years. Known as tagenites by the ancient Greeks, there have been references to their use as a breakfast dish noted as early as the 5th century BC.

But, if pancakes don't really do it for you and you wanted something a little sweeter, Pop Tarts could be exactly what you've been looking for. Filled with a delicious, gooey serving of which there are over 29 flavours, ranging from strawberry to wild watermelon. When warmed through, Pop Tarts are pure decadence at its finest, and it's a hard fight to avoid breaking out in an ear-to-ear grin after your first bite.

Another undeniable part of their allure is the "set and forget" nature of being able to put your breakfast in the toaster on a busy morning and grabbing them on your way out of the door. Sometimes, no matter how hard we try, it's difficult to slave over the stove at 7am preparing an omelette with bacon on a time deficit.

If the thought of grabbing your breakfast on the run sounds appealing, graham crackers are the absolute perfect choice for you. Requiring zero effort on your part, each sheet of crackers provides 65 calories, which is approximately 3.25% of the average woman's recommended daily intake, and 2.6% for a man. Very manageable.

Originally, graham crackers were created by Reverend Sylvester Graham in 1829 as a way to suppress both appetite cravings and sexual urges. Fortunately, science has come a long way since then.

One interesting fact to keep in mind is that when they were first made, graham cracks were made from graham flour (hence the name). Over time, though, this has been replaced by refined white flour and isn't quite as healthy as the older recipe. The difference is quite minimal, but worth noting if you're weighing up the choices of baking your own or indulging in a store-bought variety.

With everything considered, these sugary delights are perfectly acceptable within a balanced diet, and (barring any pre-existing condition) are safe to eat on a daily basis. Breakfast is considered the most important meal of the day. Why not treat yourself?

The Most Popular American Snacks

 One of the specialities in the American cuisine is the variety of tasty snacks available. These snacks are appreciated by foreigners visiting the States and are also greatly missed by homesick Americans living abroad. So what are some of the most popular American snacks and what is it that makes them so special?

The peanut butter and jelly combination

One of the all time favourite snacks for American children is peanut butter and jelly (known as jam in the UK) sandwiches. Not only do these make an extremely filling and nutritious snack, but they're packed full of energy to keep your child going for the rest of the day. Many adults continue to enjoy this combination in their sandwiches, many years after they've left their childhood behind. Peanut butter can be added to almost anything and for those looking for a healthier snack, it's often used as a dip for fruit or vegetables, combining particularly well with apples or celery. It's also used in candy bars such as Butter Fingers.

Getting into a knot with pretzels

Another popular American snack is pretzels. These snacks are distinguished by their shape which is often described as being like a loose knot. Made out of dough, these snacks are available in both hard, soft, sweet and savoury varieties. The hard varieties have a more stick like appearance, are usually smaller and may be savoury or covered in chocolate. The soft varieties may be coated in chocolate or sugar and cinnamon. They may also have fillings such as cream cheese or peanut butter. Often these pretzels are available to buy in shopping centres, fairs etc. and are served hot.

Potato chips and popcorn come in so many flavours

Potato chips (known as crisps in the UK) have a wide range of flavours, many of which are not easily available outside of the States. BBQ and cream cheese and chives are two popular flavours of potato chips. An alternative to potato chips is Goldfish, little corn snacks shaped as goldfish.

Popcorn is now easily available across Europe, particularly in the cinemas. However the variety of flavours available is likely to disappoint anyone looking for some more variety. Most places offer salted or sweet, with the more adventurous perhaps stretching as far as toffee flavour! American popcorn however, comes in flavours as diverse as cheese, salt and vinegar, BBQ, Salsa and a special movie flavoured variety. Perhaps the height of American popcorn luxury is Harry and David's Moose Munch, caramel popcorn drizzled in chocolate. It tastes so good!

More than chocolate chip

Mention American cookies and most people will immediately think of the traditional chocolate chip version. However, unlike the British, in the States the term encompasses a much wider variety, including all that the British would term as "biscuits". Some of the most popular American cookies are Oreos. They are now becoming more popular around the world, with many countries in Europe importing them and selling them in the supermarkets. Oreos are now also used in many delicious cake recipes.

Fun Ways to Celebrate National Pizza Month

National Pizza Month, which takes place during October, has been celebrated since 1987. This holiday is celebrated all over the country in a number of different ways. For anyone who is interested in participating in this day for the first time, there are several unique and fun ideas that can help to enhance your experience.
One of the things you can do is go to an authentic local Italian pizzeria. You can take some of your friends, co-workers, associates or family members with you. You may even decide to go solo. Whatever the case, this activity will allow you to enjoy this great dish in a more festive way. That is because many establishments may choose to incorporate special events and activities to commemorate the holiday. It will also give you an opportunity to spend more intimate time with some of the people you love and cherish or just want to hang out with.
Another way to celebrate is to try a pizza topping that you have never tried before. If you usually get the same one or two toppings, this would be a great time for you to try something new. The ingredient doesn't have to be anything that is considered over the top. For instance, if you always get pepperoni, order a dish topped with sausage or ham. Depending on the restaurant you visit, you may even be able to go with something like shrimp. There may even be some topped with dessert items such as chocolate chip cookies. Even if the new topping doesn't end up being your ultimate favorite, at least you allowed yourself to experiment. You never really know what you like until you try it.
This day could also be commemorated by throwing a pizza party at your own home. You can order the food from your favorite restaurant and invite all of the pizza lovers you know. You could play Italian music in the background and even incorporate different activities and games to keep everyone entertained. For example, you could set up an eating contest or a trivia activity.
If you don't really want to involve a large group of people, you could devote part of your day to researching the origins of pizza. This will allow you to learn about the food you have eaten and enjoyed for much of your life. It will also allow you to get a better understanding and appreciation for the dish. So, the next time this holiday comes around, go over to your local library and start your research journey. You could even do the work at home on your own computer.