More Herbs, Less Salt Day – Aug. 29, 2026

More Herbs, Less Salt Day
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Every August 29
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More Herbs, Less Salt Day encourages healthier eating every August 29. Reassess your sodium intake and discover how aromatic herbs and spices can transform your meals. Explore new recipes, experiment with fresh flavors, and embrace a healthier, tastier approach to cooking.

Want to sponsor More Herbs, Less Salt Day? Learn how

Expected More Herbs, Less Salt Day Deals

While we await official 2027 promotions, history shows that More Herbs, Less Salt Day inspires a variety of culinary deals. Look for grocery stores like Whole Foods Market and Trader Joe’s to feature discounts on fresh herbs, spice blends, and low-sodium pantry staples. Specialty food retailers such as Penzeys Spices and The Spice House often run sales on their extensive collections of dried herbs and seasoning mixes. Additionally, meal kit services like Blue Apron and HelloFresh may highlight low-sodium, herb-rich recipes in their weekly menus. Even kitchenware brands like Sur La Table might offer promotions on herb-related tools like herb scissors or mortar and pestles. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as August 29 approaches.

Platform Guide for More Herbs, Less Salt Day

Instagram

Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #MoreHerbsLessSalt. Share vibrant photos of your herb-infused dishes or quick videos demonstrating salt-reducing cooking hacks.

TikTok

Tag @www.nationaltoday.com and use #MoreHerbsLessSalt. Create short, engaging recipe tutorials focusing on flavor from herbs, or challenge followers to a ‘low-sodium’ cooking contest.

Facebook

Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #MoreHerbsLessSalt. Host a live Q&A with a nutritionist about sodium intake, or share a community recipe exchange for healthy, flavorful meals.

Social Media Tips for More Herbs, Less Salt Day

Individuals

Experiment with a new herb or spice blend in your favorite dish. Try swapping out half the salt for a pinch of smoked paprika, garlic powder, or fresh rosemary.

Creators

Develop a series of 'Flavor Boost' videos showcasing how different herbs can replace salt in various cuisines, from Italian to Mexican to Asian-inspired dishes.

Brands

Food brands can launch a 'Less Salt, More Flavor' campaign, offering recipe cards with their products and hosting online cooking classes focused on healthy seasoning.

Top Brands for More Herbs, Less Salt Day

  1. McCormick

    Founded in 1889 by Willoughby M. McCormick, this global food company is one of the largest spice, herb, and flavoring manufacturers in the world. McCormick offers a vast array of products designed to enhance flavor without relying solely on salt.

  2. Whole Foods Market

    Founded in 1978 in Austin, Texas, Whole Foods Market is a leading natural and organic food supermarket chain. They are known for their extensive selection of fresh, high-quality herbs, spices, and health-conscious food products.

  3. Penzeys Spices

    Established in 1957 by Bill Penzey Sr. in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Penzeys Spices is a family-owned business dedicated to providing high-quality spices and herbs. They emphasize the power of flavor to bring people together and promote healthier cooking.

  4. Trader Joe's

    Founded in 1967 in Pasadena, California, Trader Joe's is a popular grocery chain known for its unique and affordable specialty products. They offer a diverse range of herbs, spices, and low-sodium alternatives, making healthy eating accessible.

  5. Simply Organic

    A brand of Frontier Co-op, Simply Organic was launched in 2001 to provide 100% certified organic spices, seasonings, and baking flavors. They are committed to sustainable sourcing and offer a wide range of flavorful, salt-free options.

  6. Morton Salt

    Founded in 1848 as the Chicago Salt Company, Morton Salt is one of America's oldest and most recognizable salt brands. While the day advocates for less salt, Morton also offers various salt alternatives and blends, highlighting the importance of balanced seasoning.

  7. Spicely Organics

    Spicely Organics, founded in 2002, offers a comprehensive line of USDA organic certified, gluten-free, and non-GMO spices and seasonings. They focus on pure, potent flavors, providing excellent options for reducing reliance on salt.

More Herbs, Less Salt Day Hero

Julia Child

Julia Child (1912-2004) was an iconic American chef, author, and television personality who brought French cuisine to the American public. Her emphasis on fresh ingredients and proper technique, rather than excessive seasoning, subtly promoted a balanced approach to flavor that aligns with the spirit of More Herbs, Less Salt Day.

History of More Herbs, Less Salt Day

The origins of More Herbs, Less Salt Day are unknown, but the holiday was created in an effort to make people analyze their diets and reduce the amount of sodium in it. As one of the key ingredients in most meals, and shaken on top of food, the recommended daily amount of salt is exceeded without most people realizing it.

Salt isn’t exactly bad for us, but as with everything else, too much of a good thing can do more harm than good. Sodium is an important electrolyte needed by our bodies for nerve and muscle function. However, excessive intake of salt can have negative results like hypertension, heart disease, and bloating. Cardiovascular disease can lead to a stroke, heart attack, and even death. The renal function of kidneys can also be severely damaged, as blood flow to the kidney tissue is disrupted. Tests done on mice also show a linkage with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease due to high sodium intake,

The Dietary Reference Intakes (DRI) recommended daily consumption of salt less than 1500 milligrams. Fast food utilizes a lot of salt and is a large contributor to increasing the intake of salt in our bodies. Many one-time fast food meals contain 2000 milligrams or more of salt! This is why it is important to prepare meals at home and control the amount of salt going into our meals. More Herbs, Less Salt Day aims to encourage people to enhance the flavor of their food using herbs and spices instead of heaping large amounts of salt. This way the taste won’t be compromised, and may even turn out better.

This is why it is important to prepare meals at home. It gives us control over how much sodium goes into our meals.

EAting less salt is an excellent idea for everyone regardless of age or overall health. Most Americans eat more processed foods than they should, which is the #1 culprit of adding additional salt to our diet but reducing salt is obvious when you add more flavor with fresh herbs. If you don’t have an herb garden, the good news is most grocery stores stock fresh herbs in the produce section. This time of year is perfect for fresh basil, cilantro, and parsley, but you can also find fresh rosemary, dill, sage, and other several herbs. On the other hand, a diet low in sodium is linked to increased cognitive function and overall health.

More Herbs, Less Salt Day timeline

6th Century
This is Gold!

Moorish merchants trade salt in exchange for gold In the Sub-Sahara,

1997
The DRI

The Dietary Reference Intake is introduced, broadening the existing Recommended Dietary Allowances guidelines.

2009
Around the World

The average consumption of sodium in 33 countries ranges from 2700 to 4900 milligrams per day.

2020
Revised Intake

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that adults consume no more than 5 grams (just under a teaspoon) of salt per day.

How Businesses Can Celebrate More Herbs, Less Salt Day

Local restaurants can craft special ‘Herb-Infused, Low-Sodium’ menus for the day, showcasing creative dishes that highlight natural flavors. Cooking schools and culinary shops can host workshops on herb gardening, making spice blends, or mastering low-sodium cooking techniques. Even local farmers’ markets can feature herb growers and offer demonstrations on how to use fresh herbs in everyday meals. Promote these initiatives with in-store signage and social media campaigns using #MoreHerbsLessSalt.

More Herbs, Less Salt Day FAQs

When is More Herbs, Less Salt Day?

More Herbs, Less Salt Day 2026 falls on Saturday, August 29, encouraging home cooks to explore flavorful alternatives to sodium. It’s a perfect weekend opportunity to experiment with new recipes.

How much sodium do Americans consume daily?

The average American consumes approximately 3,400 milligrams of sodium per day, significantly exceeding the recommended limit of 2,300 mg. This holiday serves as a vital reminder to monitor intake.

What are some popular herbs to use in cooking?

Popular herbs include basil, oregano, thyme, rosemary, parsley, cilantro, and dill. Each offers unique aromatic profiles that can elevate dishes from Italian pasta to Mexican tacos. Experimentation is key to discovering your favorites.

Is there a difference between herbs and spices?

Yes, herbs typically come from the leafy green part of a plant, while spices are derived from other parts like roots, stems, bark, fruits, or seeds. Both are used to flavor food, but their origins differ.

How To Celebrate More Herbs, Less Salt Day

  1. Read food labels

    Find out how much sodium is in your grocery food, and adjust accordingly, or cut back completely. Some brands have more sodium in their products than others, so be a wise shopper!

  2. Prepare a no-salt seasoning blend

    Get experimental and use different herbs and spices to create the perfect seasoning that you can use instead of salt. It will take time to get right and get used to the absence of salt, but with the variety of ingredients easily available, you’ll have a winning recipe!

  3. Grow fresh herbs in your garden

    Growing herbs in your garden is quite simple and less expensive than buying organic from stores. Rosemary, Thyme, and other herbs require little effort for planting, and can really elevate the taste of a dish as compared to salt.

5 Facts About Salt That You Should Know

  1. A spoonful of salt

    Consuming just one teaspoon of salt exceeds the daily recommended amount of sodium.

  2. That’s a lot of salt

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that the average American consumes 3400 milligrams of salt daily. This is nearly 35% more than the recommended daily intake.

  3. Higher risk of Osteoporosis

    The more salt we eat, the more calcium we lose from our body through urination. This also makes us vulnerable to diseases like Osteoporosis.

  4. May increase the risk for stomach cancer

    According to a study published in the 2014 journal of Cancer Treatment and Research, a high-salt diet is linked to stomach cancer.

  5. Salt is addictive

    Some studies found that salt affects our brain the same way some drugs and cigarettes do.

Why We Love More Herbs, Less Salt Day

  1. It encourages smart grocery shopping

    The amount of preservatives, additives, sodium, and more that go into prepackaged food is insane! Holidays like More Herbs, Less Salt Day encourage people to be mindful about their grocery shopping, and be smart about what they are buying, and eating.

  2. Home cooking

    The only way to minimize sodium intake and control how much of it we are consuming is to switch to cooking meals at home.

  3. Herbs and spices are fantastic!

    The taste, aroma, and lightness of herbs and some spices are phenomenal! Meals become more appetizing, like simmering pasta sauce, the smell of garlic, etc.

More Herbs, Less Salt Day dates

Year Date Day
2026 August 29 Saturday
2027 August 29 Sunday
2028 August 29 Tuesday
2029 August 29 Wednesday
2030 August 29 Thursday