Question: Salt Benefits and type...Help!

[juancarlos22]

Hey guys, this is my first post on cooking forums.net! and would like to know if you guys could help me out....You see, I have been trying to cook healthy for my family and am not sure if the type of salt used to cook my dishes is worth changing....I've heard a lot of bad things about table salt and would like to know if anyone has tried Himalayan Salt (http://www.ghchealth.com/himalayan-crystal-salt-fine.php) in their cooking?

Any response would help...Thanks in advanced!

Regards,
Juan Carlos

[mcnerd]

The only problem with "salt", of any kind, is the EXCESS amount that gets into one's body. Salt is mandatory for life to exist, but in excess amounts, as with many things, it is toxic and potentially harmful.

Most/All mass produced foods contain salt as a preservative and flavoring. We do not need to add more salt at the table because of this reason. Also for this reason I would not include the additions of salt when cooking unless it is specifically needed to fulfill the recipe. Replace instead with herb blends.

Keep in mind too that salt is added to many recipes specifically to bring out the sweetness or intensify flavors.

Use of Himalayan Salt (expensive) is your choice, but it makes no difference in the long run. Its still salt.

[Drama Queen]

Salt is not unhealthy unless you're using enough to cause YOU some specific health problems. No one can tell you how much salt is too much. If you have blood pressure problems or other health problems and your doctor has told you not to use salt then that's a different story.
Salt is essential to cooking. It brings out the flavor of any food and keeps your dish from tasting lifeless and bland. If you don't add enough salt, then your guest will want to add more to suit his taste.


As for Himalayan salt, I use pink course salt from Whole Foods. Not sure if it's Himalayan or not but I prefer coarse salt because I can regulate the amount by putting the salt on the food by hand., and I prefer the taste. Try experimenting with different types of salt and see what you think. Here's something you might be interested in reading, Click Here (http://hubpages.com/hub/Different_typpes_of_salt_When_should_you_use_koshe r__sea__iodized_or_rock_salt)

[johnnyreno13]

I hope this youtube video helps you.

http://www.mefeedia.com/entry/salt-different-kinds-of-salt/13751498

[juancarlos22]

awesome! thanks alot guys! yeah, its basically rock salt from pakistan, also known as pink salt.

[lesley]

Hey guys, this is my first post on cooking forums.net! and would like to know if you guys could help me out....You see, I have been trying to cook healthy for my family and am not sure if the type of salt used to cook my dishes is worth changing....I've heard a lot of bad things about table salt and would like to know if anyone has tried Himalayan Salt (http://www.ghchealth.com/himalayan-crystal-salt-fine.php) in their cooking?

Any response would help...Thanks in advanced!

Regards,
Juan Carlos
Hi there
Only just saw your message, yes I use Himalayan pink salt, you might like to read this:
http://www.detoxyourworld.com/acatalog/himalayan.html
quite interesting :)

[simrnz]

Hi guys,
I'm from Paksitan and we people use Himalayan Salt in our routine diet and it's not harmful for health. And I probably think that our meals use much more salt and spices than yours. So keep using it without fear :-)

[juancarlos22]

simrnz Hi guys,
I'm from Paksitan and we people use Himalayan Salt in our routine diet and it's not harmful for health. And I probably think that our meals use much more salt and spices than yours. So keep using it without fear :-)

Hey simrnz! thanks for your response! It would be great if you could give me some recipes for using this salt or just give me a dish that works well with pink salt! THANKS!:)

[Drama Queen]

I doubt there is a specific recipe for any type of salt. The kind of salt you use is just a matter of preference. I use pink salt for everything I cook. No reason, I just like the taste and the coarseness gives me more control. Go ahead and use this salt for whatever you want.

Just a note here, coarse salt doesn't dissolve as readily as fine salt so when you put salt on the table use table salt instead. Frankly some people like the coarse grains even at the table.

[mcnerd]

I don't know about mainstream consumer recipes, but chefs use the specialty salts as a final garnish for dishes because of their unique flavors and colors.

[Karrie Jade]

My Grandma could not eat salt. She used savory instead. It's a herb in a shake bottle at the grocery store. It's good on vegetables. Grandma first got it to season green beans, but she used it in a lot of foods. I use it now and add it to stews and spaghetti sauce and all kinds of dishes. It's green and adds a bit of color too.

[VeggieCook]

Before coming across this thread, I haven't thought about the role that salt plays in our dieting life. It is this thread and the replies that made me think. Thanks, guys.

I think salt is just a seasoning. Some people prefer using more in their dishes while others won't.

Taking China as an example, the people in the north (I was born in the North and am living in the south.) have more salt in their dishes than the people living in the South. When I am eating Cantonese dishes, I always wonder if the cook has add any salt in them at all.

Now so called experts call on people not to eat much salt. However, I have grown up with pickles reserved in salt and without any health problems. So did generations.

Personally, if you sweat much during the day, you need much salt to supplement for that lost with sweat.