Salt, Salt, Salt...Just Why Do They Add Salt to Everything
By pyewacket
@pyewacket (43903)
United States
November 20, 2009 11:31pm CST
LOL--I must have food on the brain since this is the third food related discussion I'm doing and just maybe cause before you know it, Thanksgiving will be here and while sitting here, the kitchen is calling me to grab a snack.
I think a lot of us must watch cooking type shows...I have a few favorites of mine, like Spain On The Road Again, Jacques Pepin, and Let's Dish...there are a few others I catch now and then as well. What amazes me is how much salt the cooks/chefs add to just about everything. I mean here we are supposedly being more health conscious and reducing sodium content since most foods have natural sodium in them, and yet these chefs add salt and not necessarily just a pinch either.
In ALL my years of cooking I've never added salt no particular reason even if the recipe calls for salt and I just never did care for salty foods. The only thing I'll add salt to is when I make homemade chicken soup or pea soup.
Also, I used to make oriental type dishes in the past. Now if you know anything about oriental cooking one often adds soy sauce while cooking...I did, until I really noticed just how much sodium was in soy sauce...most have about 3,000 milligrams of sodium in ONE tablespoon...the equivalent of a whole day's limit of sodium and lets face it, one rarely adds just one tablespoon of the soy sauce.
Are you more health conscious when you cook and NOT add salt or do you add salt to everything as well? Are you rather amazed as to how chefs in those cooking shows add so much salt to everything?
9 people like this
32 responses
@blackbriar (9076)
• United States
21 Nov 09
Never did watch cooking shows. Why? Cause they cook which I dislike. lol I used to add salt to alot of foods when cooking but no longer do. If really needed, I bought some Morton's 1/2 salt with iodine.
3 people like this
@blackbriar (9076)
• United States
21 Nov 09
Maybe..my daughter likes to cook but she just skimmed past Taurus into Gemini when she was born. lol
3 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
21 Nov 09
I wonder if that's a Taurus thing since you are one...my mother and grandmother were both Taureans and hated to cook and they did very simple style cooking
2 people like this
@zed_k4 (17589)
• Singapore
21 Nov 09
I've noticed it too, and it's actually a wonderment for me as well.
But there's one exception so far I've seen in Rachel Ray's cooking show, and I noticed that she doesn't really add that much salt to her cooking because she throws some over the shoulder for luck. I think that's a cute myth, and it's actually a good way to avoid sprinkling much salt too.
2 people like this
@ElicBxn (63594)
• United States
24 Nov 09
Actually, in the time of the Romans, salt was a VALUED commodity - so much so, that they were PAID in salt - where do you think salary comes from? Sal- salt...
ANYWAY... because it was valuable, you didn't want to SPILL it, and if you did it would cause bad luck. So, you were supposed to throw it over your LEFT shoulder, to ward off bad luck.
Left, after all isn't called "sinister" for nothing - right is "dexter" and where we get dextrose from...
And THAT's your Latin lesson for the night...
2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
22 Nov 09
LOL-I've never watched Rachel Ray so I wouldn't know, and yes, where did that tradition of throwing salt over one's shoulder start anyway? LOL
@KrazyKlingon (5005)
• United States
21 Nov 09
To directly answer the question, salt adds flavor to foods/dishes. Being that I am still "in good condition" ... I do add salt & soy sauce to some of my dishes I cook. The other properties of salt is that it is a preservative. The Chinese used to do this with meats all the time before there was refrigeration so that the meat will not spoil before being ready for use.
It does seem that quite a lot of foods, particularly processed foods, contain salt of some sort. In addition to table salt (Sodium cloride), there are also the sodium nitrites & sodium nitrates that give smoked meats its pinkish color. If you are sodium-conscious, avoid those meats as well.
If you're really sodium conscious, another seasoning to avoid is MSG (monosodium glutamate). Especially for some people, this is even worse than regular salt.
2 people like this
@KrazyKlingon (5005)
• United States
21 Nov 09
I came back here to mention a couple of other things.
There is a salt substitute that instead of sodium chloride, it's potassium chloride. I have no idea if it is indeed any better, BUT - it is saltier tasting than regular salt.
Also, what the heck is "sea salt"? I have heard of it, but that's it.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
22 Nov 09
Yes I try to avoid MSG like the plague but a lot of processed foods do have it and sometimes hard not to have it. As for potassium chloride..I tried that once and hated the taste...as for sea salt...uh, from the sea??
@AmbiePam (92789)
• United States
21 Nov 09
Yes, I have noticed that. We hear so much these days about limiting sugar, fat, carbs...let's talk about salt! I don't add salt to anything I eat. Of course if I made a baked potato I would, but I'm not spending my money on baked potatoes these days. I try not to even add salt to the water I'm going to boil noodles in, but I admit sometimes I do add the salt. The noodles stick together so much if I don't! Stupid noodles! 
I often wonder which chefs and cooks on TV have to watch their sugar intake, salt intake, or fat intake in real life, when they aren't cooking on their respective shows.
I often wonder which chefs and cooks on TV have to watch their sugar intake, salt intake, or fat intake in real life, when they aren't cooking on their respective shows.2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
21 Nov 09
I never even add salt to boiling water for pasta, noodles or rice...and never find it sticking though without it
I would have to imagine chefs do have to watch their sugar, salt and fat intake when not on their shows--although of course one rarely sees them eating the food they are cooking on the shows--sort of cheating in a way isn't it?
I once caught a re-broadcast of Julia Child making her version of my specialty of Beouf Bourgnignon......OMG--talk about Cholesterol Heart Attack special...her version was way too high in fat
I once caught a re-broadcast of Julia Child making her version of my specialty of Beouf Bourgnignon......OMG--talk about Cholesterol Heart Attack special...her version was way too high in fat3 people like this
@catdla1 (6005)
• United States
21 Nov 09
Adding some salt while cooking helps draw the flavor out of some foods, and really enhances flavor, especially for any vegetables that are used. When I'm cooking just meat, I usually either skip the salt or add very little, using herbs instead. What amazes me is how much added fat is used in theseshows. Using ground beef and pork and adding butter into a meatloaf mix? Frying bacon in butter? Where is the health consciousness there? I don't even keep butter in the house. If I need an oil for cooking, I use olive oil...and then very sparingly. There's hardly any recipe that I don't alter because of the salt or fat content. And you know what? No one notices the difference.
2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
22 Nov 09
I have a neighbor who used to work in a church and she said the cook there would add cooking oil to fry hamburgers...like huh?
Aren't hamburgers fatty enough?
In that Beouf Bourgnignon meal I make the recipe calls for frying up some cut up bacon AND adding cooking oil (olive) to brown the meat...but then when one pours the brandy and ignites it, it actually serves to burn off the excess fat
Aren't hamburgers fatty enough?
In that Beouf Bourgnignon meal I make the recipe calls for frying up some cut up bacon AND adding cooking oil (olive) to brown the meat...but then when one pours the brandy and ignites it, it actually serves to burn off the excess fat1 person likes this
@catdla1 (6005)
• United States
22 Nov 09
I can understand using a combination of bacon fat and olive oil, because you get the flavor without all of the bad fat. Then burning most of it off makes it as guilt-free as possible.
As far as frying hamburgers in oil...that's ridiculous. I've pretty much swapped to turkey burgers, and I do have to add a bit of oil, but not much.
1 person likes this
@madteaparty (2748)
• Japan
21 Nov 09
Soy sauce has a very salty taste, that's why you don't need to add salt then.
Lately I don't use salt much, but I must admit I'm a rabid fan of salt :D
2 people like this
@KrazyKlingon (5005)
• United States
21 Nov 09
Uh - do you know why soy sauce is salty? The main ingredients are soy bean & salt.
2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
22 Nov 09
Yes soy sauce is very salty....I don't even use it anymore since it IS too salty for me
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
21 Nov 09
yup ya got food onthe brain lololol
I use No Salt for salt adn yup I salt things but not as much as I used to for I also use Garlic salt and that should be enough salt.
Dont watch the cooking show if I catch one whihle surving the tv might stop if it looks good but never find out what they are cooking so I move one lolololol
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
22 Nov 09
I really don't watch the shows on the computer either...and like you would rather be here. It's one of the reasons I don't like watching movies on-line either
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
22 Nov 09
I know...LOL. I definitely have food on the brain...there are a lot of episodes of cooking shows one can watch on the computer..like Jacques Pepin...he was my inspiration in starting to cook French foods eons ago
@ElicBxn (63594)
• United States
21 Nov 09
my roommate and her mom both think that everything needs salt AND pepper
I have managed to get her to cut back on MY food, but she just doesn't seem to understand that I like the taste of the FOOD, not the seasonings (and understand, I'm allergic to pepper, both hollow/chili and black peppers. I know they aren't related, but I'm allergic to them in different ways...
I can't even get them to understand that I really do like the taste of meat without all that other stuff on it...
I do add salt to noodles when they are cooking, potato soup, pea soup, beans; and I salt cooked spinach, carrots, cabbage, and boiled potatoes when I'm eating them without other toppings.
Honestly, tho, I have had more trouble with having too low sodium in my diet than too high.
2 people like this
@Hatley (163776)
• Garden Grove, California
21 Nov 09
hi pyewacket I am really careful not to add salt to anything as I am taking three medications for high blood pressure as it is and also I am what is called salt fast.so I don't add salt to anything. even milk has some sodium already in it.also much as I like Jaques Pepin he does always say and butter as much as you want, I also cut way back on fats and butte is loaded with fat. Yes I noticed these great chefs still add a lot of salt but I do not.I cannot as I get horrible leg cramps at night if I do. I love oriental cooking but that darned soy sauce always makes me have leg cramps so its just not worth it for me. so i try to not use soy sauce altho there is some that is supposed to be lower in salt. however It did not seem much loser to me.
2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
22 Nov 09
I actually prefer to use butter rather than margarine as believe it or not it's purer than say margarine...ever read the ingredients in margarine...one has to be a chemist to understand it
@celticeagle (167015)
• Boise, Idaho
21 Nov 09
It preserves things. And it brings out the flavor of things supposedly too. Ever since I was pregnant with my daughter I have blown up like a baloon at the mere mention of SALT. I hate the taste of it. Oh ya! Soy sauce is full of sodium. It is awful. I am amazed at how those chefs add the salt to everything. If I decide to follow any recipe I add and subtract things and salt is one I usually drop completely.
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
22 Nov 09
Yeah I omit adding salt to any recipe I do--since I haven't used it in such a long time, when I do eat something salty the taste is overwhelming--like one time I got some hot dogs, and I just couldn't enjoy eating them as they were too darn salty
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (167015)
• Boise, Idaho
22 Nov 09
I agree. Processed anything is awfully salty tasting because of the sodium they use to preserve it.
1 person likes this
@tamarafireheart (15384)
•
21 Nov 09
hi pye,
i'm afraid I am guilty of putting salt in my food as if I don't it will just taste bland, I love salt, can't help it and I know its bad for you but when I cook I would salt but never add some salt when I am ready to eat and always tells my hubby, you won't nee to add more salt in your food.
Bright Blessings.
Tamara
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
22 Nov 09
I guess I've just gotten used to not adding salt to my food, do to me foods don't taste bland.
@thea09 (18305)
• Greece
21 Nov 09
Hi pyewacket, I like salt added to my food but taste and add when cooking. I don't eat snack foods,fast foods or processed foods so thinking about it I don't use as much salt as I actually thought I did. I always thought I used a lot but you've made me think about it now and it is little in cooking. I add it to soups, a pinch in baking, and atop pitta breads. I suppose since I had my son I've added a lot less. On the other hand I have to dip cooked chestnuts in it, and the same with a slice of cheese.
2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
22 Nov 09
I rarely buy snacks foods myself but on occasions might get good old Potato chips, but now get the unsalted kind. One time I made the mistake and bought the regular kind and nearly gagged from the all too saltiness...LOL--just plain not used to too much salt I guess
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
21 Nov 09
I think adding salt actually hampers the taste of food and most foods have salt in it naturally without it being added
1 person likes this
@xzvzion (133)
• Singapore
21 Nov 09
Salt is useful for almost everything because of its taste and other properties such as the ability to preserve things. But the use of salt is more widely known in the world of food. Some common examples of food with salt are pizza, chips, soup, pasta sauces and bagels. And generally they have a higher salt content than other food. Without salt, the food would almost taste bland or bad, do cooks would often add lots of salt to the food they cook to enhance their taste, and maybe they shouldn't eat too much of those food.
2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
22 Nov 09
Well I haven't added salt to my cooking in decades and don't miss the taste of it--when I do eat a food that is salty though I can sure taste it and is overpowering for me
@scarlet_woman (23463)
• United States
21 Nov 09
OMG..soy has a buttload in it definetly..
i rarely add salt..i'm pretty heavy handed on onion/garlic though.
i have to be very careful how much i use because ma has a low-sodium requirement.
i was watching one chef on tv the other day that was adding sea salt to a dish i didn't think needed it.salt in pasta? come on..
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
22 Nov 09
Onion and garlic are so much healthier too...just love the smell of it when sauteíng them
1 person likes this
@irishmist (3814)
• United States
22 Nov 09
I do have to admit I do use salt when I am cooking. I don't use a lot, I just try to salt to taste. I think salt brings out the flavor in food. I also like to use pepper when I'm cooking.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
23 Nov 09
LOL--I tend to be more of a pepper person...I also like adding spices and herbs to food
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
23 Nov 09
Like I said some of my homemade soups I'll add salt, but only just a tad..otherwise, nope, don't add to foods
@Opal26 (17679)
• United States
22 Nov 09
Hey pye! You are absolutely right! I have always noticed that
the chefs always add salt to everything and like you said, not
necessarily just a pinch! I used to add salt to everything until
I found out that it would kill me! It probably is about 25 years
now since I found out that I had extremely high blood pressure
and needed to cut salt/sodium down or out of my diet pretty
much completely! I tried that for awhile, but when that didn't
work then came the meds too! So, I had to learn to not use salt
at all! I never use it when cooking, only add a pinch to french
fries and that's it! I have to read labels when I go grocery
shopping and it is still amazing how the sodium levels in canned,
frozen or just about any processed foods are still through the
roof! So, I have learned to chose wisely, in other words put
back just about everything I pick up! If I want to buy soup, for
instance since that is one of the few things I don't make from
scratch, I have to very careful! And I have noticed that if I
go out to eat or eat at someone else's home I am very "salt
sensitive"! Like my girlfriend across the street! Everything she
makes she uses Adobo and I can't stand how salty her food tastes!
I guess it is from all the years of learning to do without salty
foods!
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
23 Nov 09
Yes people must think I'm weird on how I'm always reading labels for ingredients. Adobo---I've never used that since I thought it had MSG in it and not good for you either
@youngpatrol (425)
• United States
27 Nov 09
I also have noticed on the cooking shows that people use a lot of salt. Lacey doesn't use much at all in her cooking and my mom complains because she likes a lot of salt on her food. I like to add my salt after something is cooked. If it is to bland just add a bit of salt. But when I see recipes that want a lot of salt I ask Lacey not to add it.
We went to a buffet last week and the food didn't have even the slightest bit of salt added. Lacey just had to add salt on hers as well as I did. I think some foods need some salt others don't. Hardly ever do I use soy sauce even when we go out to eat. But I have to say when I do I use it sparingly.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
29 Nov 09
I usually never add any salt while I'm cooking save for like I said pea soup, and chicken soup--just tastes better that way to me. As far as adding any salt after it's cooked, nope...funny I usually tend to add pepper, like on my mashed potatoes
@randylovesdar (4932)
• United States
24 Nov 09
If I did not use salt in cooking my husband would go crazy. He loves salt. He adds salt after I use it in cooking which drives me crazy. He pours so much salt on his french fries. I have never seen someone like salt as much as he does. It does amaze me that all chefs use salt. What also amazes me is that every dessert recipe they make always calls for sugar. My husband is diabetic and it is hard for me to make sweets for him that do not require sugar. I am almost tempted to make items with a sugar substitute.
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
24 Nov 09
Actually what most people don't realize is that sugar substitutes work on the body the same way as regular sugar. The only thing I can suggest as far as the sugar problem and what I do, is just greatly reduce the amount of sugar...instead of say a cup of sugar in a cake mix, just add half--I haven't noticed any real difference in taste this way
