Despite recent low-sodium crazes, salt is–and always has been–essential for optimal health. We need salt and minerals to survive. Think about it. When admitted to a hospital, you are usually hooked up to an IV drip, not of water, but saline––saltwater. So, the question is not “Should I be eating salt?” but rather, “What kind of salt should I be eating?”

The salt shelf in stores is growing, which means so is the confusion. If you don’t understand your choices, it can be very overwhelming. Consider your options: low salt, no-salt, sea salt, pink salt, kosher salt, iodized salt, French salt… and the list goes on. You may be tempted to think they’re all basically the same, but a quick glance at the ingredient labels on a few different salts might surprise you. Many salts contain anti-caking agents and even dextrose (sugar). Others have been heat-processed and stripped of their natural trace minerals. The best salt is an unrefined salt–one that has not been processed and still has its entire mineral content. Because of the additives and lack of trace minerals, most salts are not good for you. Real Salt brand, on the other hand, is unrefined and full of natural minerals and flavor–the way salt was meant to be savored.

Just like minimally-processed whole grain flour is healthier than enriched, bleached, white flour, Real Salt is healthier than white salts because of the things we don’t take out of it. Real Salt’s unique pinkish appearance and flecks of color come from more than 60 naturally occurring trace minerals, and it’s these trace minerals that make the difference. Not only do they provide a unique sweet-salt flavor unlike ordinary white salt, they provide a host of nutrients that help your body process salt well. Some of these minerals don’t dissolve in water, but they are bioavailable (your body can absorb and use them as nature designed) and are good for your health.

Some people have concerns about sea salt that comes from our current oceans due to plastic contamination, mercury, lead, toxic waste, sewage, garbage, radiation, and oil spills. Real Salt frees you from these concerns as it is sourced from a protected underground salt deposit created by a Jurassic-era sea. Real Salt contains the same amount of trace minerals you would find in seawater today, but has been preserved underground for millions of years and shielded from modern pollution!

While Real Salt is similar to Himalayan in its makeup, Himalayan salt comes from deposits in and around Khewra, Pakistan. There are 17 different mines supplying the Himalayan brands, and some have more modern standards than others. The Real Salt deposit is located in Central Utah, USA, so you can rest assured it is produced with ethical labor and stringent safety standards.

Healthy Chocolate Muffins

Ingredients:
1 c. navy bean flour
¼ c. coconut flour
½ c. acorn squash puree
4 eggs
¼ c. cocoa powder
½ c. sucanat (or 1/3 c. honey)
¼ c. water
3 tbsp. olive oil
1 tsp. vanilla
½ tsp. Real Salt
½ tsp. baking soda 

Directions:
1. Add all the dry ingredients to a bowl (flours, cocoa powder, Real Salt, baking soda, honey).
2. Add the eggs, water, oil, vanilla, and squash.
3. Stir until completely mixed and smooth.
4. Add to a lined muffin pan evenly, cups will be about ¾ full.
5. Bake at 350°F for 25-30 minutes.

Kale Chips

Ingredients:
1 bunch kale
Bacon grease (about ¼ – ½ c.)
Real Salt

Directions:
1. Remove all the leaves from the stems and place them in a colander.
2. Rinse the kale thoroughly to remove any dirt. Then, it’s time to toss it in the bacon grease! Warm it gently if it’s solidified; it needs to be liquid for this.
3. Toss until lightly coated, and then transfer to a baking sheet.
4. Spread it out so that it’s a single layer as much as possible. Bake at 350°F for 10-15 minutes, checking often in the last few minutes so it doesn’t burn. Remove from the oven when it’s lightly crispy. Transfer it to a plate to cool, and use Real Salt liberally.
5. That’s it! When it’s cool, transfer it to a resealable bag for keeping and snacking!

Recipes from Kate Tietje at modernalternativemama.com

About the Author: Redmond Real Salt

Real Salt is the only brand of sea salt harvested from an ancient, pristine ocean near Redmond, Utah. We bring it to you exactly as nature created it – unrefined, ancient sea salt with a complete blend of minerals and a subtle, sweet flavour unlike any salt on earth. You can learn more about Redmond Real Salt at redmond.life/real-salt