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Are some salts healthier than others?

While the various types of salt— for example, table, kosher, and sea salts—may impart different flavors on food, they’re very similar from a health point of view, says Amy Keating, R.D., a CR nutritionist. Sea salt comes from evaporated ocean water and retains some trace minerals, such as magnesium, but not in high enough amounts to have nutritional benefits. Table salt often has iodine added—a mineral important for preventing thyroid problems— but iodine is also found naturally in dairy products, eggs, seafood, and grains.

As for the sodium levels, “most types of salt—technically sodium chloride—are roughly 40 percent sodium by weight,” Keating says. (Chlorine mostly makes up the rest.) The main reason nutrition labels on salt packages show varying amounts

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… and watch for the answers. of sodium is because the serving size for salt is listed as a volume (usually ¼ teaspoon). Kosher salt and sea salt often have larger or coarser crystals than table salt; less of it fits on the spoon, so the sodium content appears lower. For example, Morton table salt has 590 mg per ¼ teaspoon, coarse sea salt has 580 mg, and coarse kosher salt has 480 mg.

Still, in recipes, if you replace table salt—teaspoon for teaspoon—with coarse sea salt or kosher salt, it may help you cut your sodium intake, and chances are your palate won’t notice a difference. The larger crystals may also deliver a strong salty hit when sprinkled on foods, so you can use less.

What’s the best way to support local restaurants during the pandemic?

Many people use third-party food delivery services, such as DoorDash, Grubhub, Postmates, and Uber Eats. But these services have come under increasing scrutiny for the delivery and service fees they levy on consumers’ orders, as well as the commissions they charge the restaurants they work with. A recent lawsuit filed against these businesses alleges that they charge “exorbitant fees” that drive up costs for consumers and restaurants.

One way to avoid service fees is to order directly from the restaurant itself via the restaurant’s own ordering website or by phone, rather than going through a thirdparty delivery service. That allows the restaurant to avoid paying the commission, and more of your dollars will go directly to the restaurant.

If you do use a third-party service, order your food to pick up because some services charge the restaurant a lower commission for pickup than for delivery, says Eli Wilson, Ph.D., an assistant professor of sociology at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, who studies restaurant labor. Also, consider ordering more than one meal’s worth of food at a time (tonight’s dinner and tomorrow’s lunch). This boosts the restaurant’s revenue, and you pay only one delivery and service fee.

We recommend tipping the delivery driver the same way you would a restaurant server—at least 20 percent. DoorDash, Grubhub, Postmates, and Uber Eats all say 100 percent of tips go directly to drivers. And even if it’s a pickup order, consider tipping the restaurant, too. Uber Eats offers consumers the opportunity to tip the establishment separately.

Should I use a tire shine gloss when cleaning my wheels?

Over time, it’s normal for tires to begin to dull in appearance. Tire shine products, called tire dressing or protectant, are meant to remedy this dullness and can achieve a soft, satin look or a shiny, wet appearance, depending on the product. Car care companies may also claim that some shine products protect tires from harmful ultraviolet light and air pollution.

While we don’t test these products, the clear consensus from tire manufacturers we asked (Bridgestone, Continental, and Michelin) was that you don’t need any aftermarket products to preserve tires, which are already formulated to resist UV light and ozone. In fact, tires have protective weathering agents that might be adversely affected by using a gloss product. You won’t get the highshine look of using a chemical, but cleaning with plain old soap and water is better for your tires in the long run.