LA CROSSE (WKBT) -- The CDC reports almost half of American adults have hypertension, or high blood pressure.
A lot of salt in one's diet is a major contributor and it increases the risk of stroke and heart attack.
The Food and Drug Administration is now trying to lower those risks.
The FDA is proposing a rule to allow salt substitutes to be used in everyday foods to cut down on American salt consumption.
The proposal would change standards for about 20 items, like cheese and cereal flour.
A registered dietitian at Gundersen Health System says even if approved, real long-term change won't happen unless Americans change their diet habits.
"A good place to start is just choosing those foods that are naturally low in sodium, so choosing fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables, fresh and frozen meats, yogurt, milk," said dietitian Halley Molstad.
She says there's plenty of seasoning alternatives too, like using lemon juice, flavored vinegars and pre-mixed seasoning like onion powder.Â
For more nutrition education from Gundersen Health System, click here.Â
​COPYRIGHT 2023 BY NEWS 8 NOW/NEWS 8000. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, REWRITTEN OR REDISTRIBUTED.
Ken is ecstatic to work in his home state of Wisconsin. After graduating from UW-Madison in 2017 with a degree in Journalism and Mass Communication, he got his career started in Sports. He spent two years as a Weekend Sports Anchor at the CBS affiliate station in Bismarck, North Dakota, and then spent the last three years as WKBT’s Sports Director. Ken is humbled and excited to be promoted to News Anchor at 5, 6, and 10, and while he won’t be anchoring sports anymore, he’ll still be following all Wisconsin sports teams and Coulee Region high school athletics. Ken and his wife Leah love the La Crosse area and are excited to stick around WKBT and keep working on their house!
Favorite band: It varies by day. He’d say he’s pretty eclectic.
Favorite movie: Inception
Family: Wife Leah and their two dogs: 2-year-old black Lab named Bear, and 3-month old golden retriever named Bella.
Pizza: Pepperoni and bacon
Sports teams: All Wisconsin teams, especially the Brewers and Packers
Thing he’s bad at: Drawing, or basically anything you’d do in Art class
Favorite way to spend a day off?: Playing tennis with Leah, having some fun meals, and then spending time together with the puppies
