Generally while we are cleansing, we simplify the diet and “clean it up”. So, that means organic foods, lots of fresh produce, no processed foods, no sugar, flour, caffeine, etc. While a whole unrefined salt is a healthy source of minerals, refined salt can just cause mineral imbalance, water retention and hypertension. During a spring cleanse I generally suggest limiting extra or added salt as there is natural sodium in vegetables. Salt tends to be more needed in the autumn and winter when we need a little more grounding and warming. Spring is about lightening up, so I often suggest food sources of sodium like sea vegetables.
However, in moderation and appropriate for your body type, a good quality whole salt can be included in a cleansing diet. A Kapha, or heavier body type, would benefit from limiting salt, while a Vata, or lighter body type, could benefit from including a little in each meal. This is a real generalization, but a place to start anyway.
When choosing your salt, it is best to get one that is clean (little contaminants), not processed, not bleached and not stripped. My favorites include Himalayan Pink Salt (yummy and pink!), Real Salt (from Utah, lightly pink with flecks of gray) and Celtic Sea salt (high quality sea salt with a gray tint). Most white salt is white because it has been bleached, so try to choose one with a little natural color.
One other note about salt is that it is “contractive”. So if you eat a lot of “expansive” foods (vegetables, raw foods, fruits, soups), you would want to include a little more salt than someone who eats a lot of meat or heavier, denser foods.
Good salt can be such a healthy way to dress up your foods, so have fun with it!
