The federal FDA notes that Americans consume 3,400 milligrams of salt every day, way more than the recommended amount of 2,400. Excess sodium can raise your risk for high blood pressure, which in turn increases your chances of heart attack and stroke. And it's not the sprinkle of salt on your veggies that's the problem: According to the American Heart Association, a whopping 65 percent of the sodium we eat comes from supermarket processed foods.
Among them: that awesome Costco chicken. According to Business Insider, part of the secret behind their addictive flavor is an infusion of saline solution along with sugar, food starch, and a handful of other ingredients that help keep the meat moist. That added salt ups the sodium content to 460 milligrams per serving — less than some other brands, but still not the best option if you're trying to curb your salt intake.
Another potential issue is the chicken's freshness. As nutritionist Bonnie Taub-Dix, RDN, told the TODAY, "You want to be sure you're choosing chickens that are fresh and that they haven't been spinning around on those rotisseries for hours." Always check the label to see when the bird was prepared.
Making your own chicken might take longer than picking up the pre-made Costco version, but you'll have the advantage of being able to control the amount of salt. Try flavorful alternatives like lemon, garlic, and rosemary. You might find that you actually like your homemade version better!
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