Cut back on salt

Diets high in sodium are associated with high blood pressure. One way to reduce your salt intake is to substitute fresh foods for processed ones. Today, challenge yourself to eat less salt. Here are some ideas:
• Swap store-bought sauces and dressings for homemade versions (e.g., fresh tomatoes instead of jarred sauce, or oil and vinegar instead of bottled dressing)
• Avoid processed lunchmeat in your sandwiches or buy low sodium
• Watch your condiments (ketchup and mustard contain sodium)
• Drink water instead of beverages like tomato juice, or look for the low sodium versions


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23 comments
User_thumb
Posted April 23, 2008 at 11:42 AM

I always avoid foods with high sodium levels, if I feel I need to add salt to a dish, I use Sea Salt.

Lilysalmonclassic5a
Posted April 23, 2008 at 01:10 PM

Normally i dont drink anything except for water. i always stay away from sodas.

Lizoooo
Posted April 23, 2008 at 01:44 PM

I didn’t realize lunch meat had so much sodium. i dont eat a lot of it but I will certainly watch that. Water rocks, who would want to drink anything else…well starbucks is nice every now and again.

User_thumb
Posted April 23, 2008 at 02:46 PM

I JUST STARTED A DIET AND I’M WATCHING MY SALT INTAKE.

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Posted April 23, 2008 at 07:05 PM

I need to cut back on the sodium because I retain to much water. This is a great way to get started.

074
Posted April 24, 2008 at 12:39 AM

Yeah I didn’t realize lunch meat had a lot of sodium either, I wonder if deli meat is any better?

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Posted April 24, 2008 at 10:55 AM

I just recently started watching my sodium intake. I am making my own salsa and chips now. I also bake or boil chicken for sandwiches rather than using lunch meat or canned meats.

Vnfjidosgaf
bluemoon91
Posted April 24, 2008 at 12:14 PM

i just started this. because me and my boyfriend for a year and a half broke up.
so im trying to be heallthier and look better for the summer…
ilovesteph

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anthony46582
Posted April 24, 2008 at 04:49 PM

why do people use sea salt instead of regular salt?

User_thumb
Posted April 25, 2008 at 10:30 AM

To Anthony46582, Sea salt has less sodium. I actually heard it on a Campbell Soup commercial! Don’t know why, but it does. I LOVE salt. This one’s gonna be hard! I’ll have to get some of that sea salt, too.

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jimbc
Posted April 25, 2008 at 06:53 PM

just trying to get healthy an live longer.

User_thumb
Posted April 26, 2008 at 09:12 AM

I always watch my sodium intake and I only drink bottled water. I find that sodas and juices just tend to sit heavy so I avoid them.

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Posted April 26, 2008 at 05:13 PM

salt is my weakness in any form, this will be hard for me but a good thing to start!!

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katehessel
Posted April 27, 2008 at 07:44 AM

I want to learn to use fresh, natural foods instead of “processed” foods so I can get my blood pressure under control.

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Posted April 27, 2008 at 11:11 AM

And watch soy sauce, that one’s a killer… same with fast food. I’ve been eating more fruit, vegetables, and lowfat dairy to counter some of sodium’s effects.

Jenn_01
Posted April 27, 2008 at 03:05 PM

I like to use salt alot. This is going to be difficult for me but I think I can do it if I put my mind to it.

Sammy_027
Posted April 27, 2008 at 11:13 PM

I recently started eating that Healthy Request soup and its soo yummy! It’s got a lot less salt in it than regualar canned soups and only has about 5 grams of fat and 30 carbs per can. delicious!

Daddys_girl
Kashigal456
Posted April 29, 2008 at 05:59 PM

i think that limiting sodium intake is wonderful

Kokopelli_group_sw
Posted May 01, 2008 at 12:31 PM

We don’t use any salt at all in our home. My husband has high blood pressure. I have to check all labels for sodium. I am so glad that alot of things are coming out with low sodium. We use Mrs Dash all the time to season our food. So I guess this challenge won’t be too hard for me. I don’t drink any soda. Only organic tea and coffee.

User_thumb
Posted May 01, 2008 at 11:05 PM | Edited May 01, 2008 at 11:06 PM

Read labels. You’ll be amazed at what has excessive amounts of sodium. I took the time to look up the Recommended Daily Allowance which is 2,400 mg per day. Too much salt leads to toxicity and symptoms include high blood pressure, fluid retention and swelling. Sodium deficiency symptoms include muscle cramps, fatigue, and hair loss. I’ve been reading labels often for sodium and practically eliminated most chip brands especially flavored chips which range 200 – 360 mg of sodium. So I’ve been buying low sodium (140 mg or less) and using my own herbs and peppers to add some zing if I want it.

User_thumb
Posted May 01, 2008 at 11:16 PM | Edited May 01, 2008 at 11:22 PM

Here’s a great low sodium breakfast from Turkey. Peel and cut up fresh cucumbers into 3 – 4 inch long wedges, slice tomatoes into wedges, low sodium or organic cheese cut into cubes (usually a fresh curd cheese from goat milk or cow milk), boiled eggs flavored with a mixture of cumin, black pepper, and salt (not too much because you’re only going to use a pinch for your hard boiled egg), low sugar whole fruit spread, non-transfat non-hydrogenated butter (I use Smart Balance), whole grain bread and black tea (with or without sugar – personally I use Sucanat or honey in my tea). Sometimes they eat a molasses type of dish called Pekmez which is made from grapes and mix it with Tahini. If you can find this, it is wonderful with bread and has a flavor similar to eating a chocolaty peanut butter. Sometimes they serve a very small amount of salami or dried sausage flavored with garlic spices called Sucuk “pronounced Soo-Jook” (can be found at international markets). Enjoy!

100_1049
Posted May 04, 2008 at 01:55 PM

I have gave up salt along time ago. what ever is in the food is what i eat

Dscn0867
Posted May 14, 2008 at 05:54 PM

In answer to Anthony’s question (Why do people use sea salt instead of regular salt), Sea salt contains more minerals than regular salt because it is less refined. Therefore, gram per gram, there is less sodium in sea salt than in regular salt. Also, when added to food just before serving, the texture of sea salt can add a lot to the texture of food— the particles are larger so they add a bit of crunch and more of a ‘salty’ impression because they don’t dissolve into the food before hitting your taste buds. That means that you can use less sea salt on a food product than regular salt and the food will taste just as salty!