Salt is definitely one of the essential ingredients for cooking, as it is used to add a little bit of saltiness to a dish to produce a balanced taste. However, whether you enjoy dishes with a balanced taste, or if you just enjoy the salty taste; too much sodium intake may lead to serious health effects. 

In today’s fast-paced world, maintaining a balanced diet is more important than ever. One crucial aspect of a healthy diet is reducing our salt intake, as excessive sodium consumption can lead to a range of health problems. Ajinomoto (M) Berhad understands the significance of this issue and has introduced a concept known as “Smart Salt.” Smart Salt is a way to reduce sodium (salt) intake while using AJI-NO-MOTO® to maintain the same deliciousness which leads to healthier eating! 

So, let’s delve into the importance of reducing sodium intake, the risks associated with excessive sodium consumption, and how Smart Salt can help you achieve healthier eating habits.

High sodium intake has become a global concern due to its detrimental impact on our health. Excessive sodium consumption can lead to various health issues, including high blood pressure, heart diseases, and strokes. These conditions affect individuals of all ages, making it crucial for everyone to be mindful of their sodium intake.

In Malaysia, the average daily salt intake is a staggering 7.9 grams, equivalent to approximately 1.6 teaspoons. This exceeds the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommended daily salt intake of less than 5 grams. To put this into perspective, one teaspoon of salt contains about 5 grams of sodium.

The amount of sodium needed depends on one’s age, as different age ranges would need a different quantity of sodium for the body to function properly. Here are the recommended sodium intake for different age ranges;

• Recommended by WHO: 1 teaspoon in a day
• Children aged 1 – 13 years old: less than 1.8 grams 
• Children aged 14 – 18 tahun: less than 2.3 grams
• Elderly: 1.5 grams per day

It’s concerning that 4 out of 5 Malaysian adults consume too much sodium and the majority of Malaysians consume approximately 3 grams more than the recommended intake by WHO. Reducing sodium intake is a goal we should all strive for, regardless of age.

So, how exactly can we reduce sodium intake, while it is still an essential ingredient for cooking and nutrient for our body? Through Smart Salt of course!

It’s no secret really, the key ingredient to the Smart Salt concept is reducing salt intake and replacing it with AJI-NO-MOTO®! Here’s how Smart Salt with AJI-NO-MOTO® works:

1. Maintaining Deliciousness with Umami: AJI-NO-MOTO® enhances the umami taste in your dishes, allowing you to reduce the amount of salt while still enjoying the same delicious flavours. Umami is known as the “fifth taste,” and it adds depth and richness to your meals.
2. Significantly Less Sodium: Compared to regular table salt, AJI-NO-MOTO® contains ⅔ less sodium. This means that you can reduce your sodium intake while savouring the flavours you love.
3. Practical Usage: There is no fixed formula, but you can easily reduce sodium with the Smart Salt concept. For example, if a recipe calls for one teaspoon of salt, you can use half a teaspoon of salt and half a teaspoon of AJI-NO-MOTO®. It’s a simple yet effective way to cut down on sodium without compromising on taste.

4. Safe and Natural: AJI-NO-MOTO® is produced through a fermentation process using natural ingredients such as sugarcane or tapioca. It is safe to consume and suitable for individuals of all ages.

Ingredients: Fried Chicken

½ no Chicken, cut
¼ tsp AJI-NO-MOTO®
¾ tsp Salt
1 tsp Tumeric powder
Enough Cooking oil

Ingredients: Gravy

½ cup Cooking oil
2 nos Tumeric leaves, cut and thinly sliced
½ tsp AJI-NO-MOTO®
2 tsp Salt
1 cup Water

Ingredients (A): Blended

20 nos Red chillies, cut
3 nos Red onion
2 nos Garlic
1 inch Ginger
½ inch Galangal
¼ cup Water

Method: Fried Chicken

1. Mix in chicken with AJI-NO-MOTO®, salt and turmeric powder. 
2. Heat up cooking oil and fry chicken until fully cooked. Set aside.

Method: Gravy

1. Heat up cooking oil and add in ingredients (A). Stir-fry until oil splits.
2. Add in water and turmeric leaves, and mix well. Let it simmer for a while or until the gravy is a bit thicker, then add in chicken and stir well.
3. Season with AJI-NO-MOTO® and salt, stir well. 
4. Ready to serve.

Ingredients:

1 cup Flour
½ tsp AJI-NO-MOTO®
½ tsp Salt
½ tsp Chilli powder
¼ tsp Corriander powder
¼ tsp Fennel powder
¼ tsp Cumin powder
2 nos Eggplant, peeled and cut to 5cm
2 nos Egg, whipped
200 g Bread powder
Enough Cooking oil

Method

1. In a bowl, mix well flour, chili powder, fennel powder, and cumin powder.
2. Season with AJI-NO-MOTO® and salt. Mix well.
3. Coat the eggplant slices with the flour mixture. Then dip in egg and coat evenly with breadcrumbs.
4. Heat the oil and fry the eggplant slices until browned and fully cooked.

Ingredients:

1 tbsp Cooking oil
3 nos Garlic
1 no Red onion
½ inch Ginger
1000 ml Water
100 g Carrots, coarsely chopped
5 nos Baby corns, diagonally sliced
50 g Chicken meat, cut into cubes
200 g Bok choy
50 g Oyster mushroom, shredded
½ tsp AJI-NO-MOTO®
1 tsp Salt
2 nos Parsley
½ tbsp Fried onion

Method:

1. Heat up the oil and stir-fry garlic, onion and ginger until golden.
2. Add water, chicken, carrots and baby corns. Boil until carrots and baby corns are tender.
3. Add bok choy and oyster mushrooms, stir until the chicken is cooked.
4. Season with AJI-NO-MOTO® and salt.
5. Sprinkle parsley and fried onions.
6. Ready to serve.

Sodium is still an important nutrient that is needed for our body to function properly. However, too much sodium may disrupt the balance of other nutrients, leading to further health problems. Hence, we’re here to educate you on reducing sodium intake with AJI-NO-MOTO® rather than cutting it off from your diet completely. With AJI-NO-MOTO®, it is possible to reduce the amount of sodium used in your cooking and continue enjoying the delicious flavours of your food! Join us in the Smart Salt way, and let’s make healthier eating a delicious and achievable reality for all Malaysians.

To know more about Smart Salt, check out our event details at; https://smartcooking.com.my/en/event/smart-salt-kurang-garam-umami-je/#section-1