sea salt | a healthier alternative to table salt

I am obsessed with the unique variety of sea salts out there. I use several different kinds to impact and harmonize the flavor of foods when I cook. As a healthier option to processed table salt, sea salt has much less sodium. Most of the benefits of table salt are destroyed while processing it with high heat and bleaching. Sea Salt isn’t processed the same way, and this is why it can keep its minerals.

Now, sea salt does contain some iodine and, there is some talk about the ocean’s pollution causing the loss of benefits it originally offered. However, I choose to believe that I’m preparing my meals with a better alternative when I use sea salt as opposed to table salt. I have used sea salt in dry rubs, deviled eggs, salads, soups and vegetables. 

The other not very healthy yummy things I make with sea salt include buttered popcorn, toffee, fudge, cookies, sprinkled over raspberry sorbet, and in Bloody Mary’s.

Favorite Sea Salts

Himalayan Pink Salt in my opinion, Himalayan pink salt is the healthiest. It comes from the Himalayan Mountains. It gets its pink color from the iron content. Himalayan Pink Salt is extremely rich in minerals such as magnesium, copper, zinc, and potassium. It also has health benefits of reducing muscle cramps and helping with blood sugar health.

Black Sea Salt comes from Hawaii and is believed to come from Volcanic lava. The dark color comes from the charcoal content. It is thought to be beneficial in digestion. I like to add black sea salt on top salads for a little extra crunch and I also sprinkle on Raspberry Sorbet for a quick low-calorie dessert.

Smoked sea salt doesn’t have all the healthy benefits as Himalayan or Black Sea Salt, but it is very flavorful and it’s still better for you than table salt. I like to sprinkle smoked sea salt on top of meat and fish after I finish cooking. If you do it before cooking, you will dry out your meat. The smoky flavor can also be used to spice up your Bloody Mary’s when entertaining.

Grey Sea Salt is also a favorite of mine I use grey sea salt in baking cookies and brownies.  I also sprinkle on top of dark chocolate cakes, fudge, & homemade toffee. Grey sea salt comes from sea water and has added  minerals. Although, adding it to sweets probably kills off any health benefits, I love the sweet and salty taste.  

You still need to consider the fact that sea salt is still a salt, too much is not healthy for you, especially if you are monitoring your sodium intake.

I choose to use sea salt as a substitute for table salt in almost all the cooking and baking that I do.

At the end of the day, you can’t compete with Mother Nature. If you have a ripe tomato a pinch of salt is all you need. 

Zac Posen 

Enjoy the Salt of The Earth in your life!