Got a question or comment on this topic? Share your views and experiences with other Consumer members...

To add a comment you need to be a member of consumer.org.nz. Login or Join.

low sodium salt? Posted by: Mellie 22 Oct 2010 1:41pm

how about low sodium salt, is this a genuinely healthy alternative?

Reading those pdf files - why Adobe? Posted by: janemcm 29 Aug 2010 6:35pm

Why do you always say "you need Adobe Acrobat to read a pdf file"?

Adobe is well-known for having security issues. There are many free alternatives - e.g. Foxit Reader is reputable. There is also Nitro PDF Reader, which I've found useful when wanting to copy text or pictures to other software.

No salt needed if microwaving vegetables Posted by: janemcm 29 Aug 2010 6:30pm

When we first got a microwave many years ago, we found we didn't need to add salt when microwaving vegetables - either during or after cooking. We must have reduced our total salt intake quite a lot in that period.

Aerial topdressing with salt Posted by: Anthony Silke 29 Jun 2010 11:56am

What really annoys me, especially when I have done the cooking is those folk who topdress the meal with salt before they have even tasted their first mouthful. Not only is it insulting to the chef but it ensures that one is piling on the salt regardless of whether it is needed or not.

Muscle Cramps Posted by: Kees 29 Jun 2010 10:12am

In the answers to the quiz it is mentioned that there appears to be no basis for the assumption that salt prevents muscle cramps. This is not my experience. The only way I can prevent getting muscle cramps in my feet when I am in bed at night is to have approx one eigth of a teaspoon of salt in water immediately before going to bed at night. Salt taken any time during the day beforehand has no effect. I rarely eat processed food and this includes eating almost no bread. The main source of salt in my diet is what I add to food. The salt I use is Redmonds Natural Salt which is unprocessed and still contains all the trace minerals present before processing.

Iodine Posted by: Patrick B 29 Jun 2010 8:24am

A few years ago there was a noticed raise in thyroid type problems in affluent areas of Wellington in children at pre-schools. It was put down to 'health conscious' parents trying to reduce the salt intake of their kids.
As the report states most processed foods don't use iodised salt, cutting out salt used at home led to the problems. we don't use much but we do make sure it's iodised salt.

Quiz Posted by: hads 28 Jun 2010 2:57pm

The answer to question 8 in your quiz is incorrect.

Sure your taste buds may get used to less salt if you decrease your salt intake but that doesn't change the fact that salt DOES bring out foods flavours.

I understand what you are trying to do and appreciate than many New Zealanders do need to cut down their salt intakes but false information such as that isn't the way to do it.

Otherwise a good report.