How Do You Limit Salt Intake?

['Hamas' Jenkins]

Excellent idea in theory, almost impossible in reality short of adopting a vegan diet. I don't need to drop my salt intake precipitously--I don't have high blood pressure and my kidney function is fine. I just wonder how it can be done feasibly without spending a ton of time on meal prep and a limited palate.

[KC_Lee]

Buy fresh or frozen veggies. Avoid anything canned or overly processed.

And vegan canned food is loaded with sodium as well. My wife is vegan and has high blood pressure so this is always a concern for us.

[penguinz]

Why worry about it?

[Beef Supreme]

With the little holes in the top of the shaker.

[ptlyon]

Prestone has all you'd ever need

[Chief Pagan]

Restaurant food tends to be very salty as does any sort of processed food you eat at home. Some things are pretty obvious, like potato chips and French fries. Other things not so much. Bread tends to have a lot of salt in it.

I'm not paranoid about it, but I think it would be healthier (over a lifetime) to reduce salt consumption. The frustrating thing is once you get used to a low salt diet, it tastes fine (and the amount of salt in many processed foods makes them taste yucky). I went about a year eating [almost] only low salt foods that I fixed myself. It is a real pain and tends to be anti-social (unless you are living with other students on a similar diet).

The vegan crowd tends to have a lower salt diet, but you can buy your own meat and prepare it without salt.

I also find that I can substitute spices for salt. For instance, if I make pasta sauce at home, I get no salt added tomato paste. Instead of adding salt, add more oregano and little bit of cayenne spice and you don't even know that it doesn't have salt in it.

[ThaVirus]

Originally Posted by Chief Pagan

The frustrating thing is once you get used to a low salt diet, it tastes fine (and the amount of salt in many processed foods makes them taste yucky).

Sounds like a win to me.

[Chiefshrink]

Sea Salt is far healthier if you have to salt. All the advice above is right on. Try buying low sodium foods. Stay away from soup especially unless it is low on sodium but even then it is still high.

However, if you get yourself disciplined enough to get on a good cardio program of some sort where you are sweating your arse off everyday for 20-30 minutes at least 4-5 days a week you can cheat somewhat on your foods because your are sweating that extra salt out of your body.

[TomBarndtsTwin]

Originally Posted by Chief Pagan

Restaurant food tends to be very salty as does any sort of processed food you eat at home. Some things are pretty obvious, like potato chips and French fries. Other things not so much. Bread tends to have a lot of salt in it.

I'm not paranoid about it, but I think it would be healthier (over a lifetime) to reduce salt consumption. The frustrating thing is once you get used to a low salt diet, it tastes fine (and the amount of salt in many processed foods makes them taste yucky). I went about a year eating [almost] only low salt foods that I fixed myself. It is a real pain and tends to be anti-social (unless you are living with other students on a similar diet).

The vegan crowd tends to have a lower salt diet, but you can buy your own meat and prepare it without salt.

I also find that I can substitute spices for salt. For instance, if I make pasta sauce at home, I get no salt added tomato paste. Instead of adding salt, add more oregano and little bit of cayenne spice and you don't even know that it doesn't have salt in it.

Or if you're lazy and/or don't have time to make your own, buy a jar of this and call it good. Pretty tasty and only 25mg sodium per serving. Not too bad.

http://weeklyads.aldi.us/Aldi/Listin...ickSource=grid

[TomBarndtsTwin]

Eat lots of fruit and veggies. Avoid canned foods. Avoid fast food. AVOID table salt! Can eat about any meat still, especially grilling meat, just be careful what you season it with. Use sodium free seasonings, like Mrs. Dash, etc. Use salt substitute for flavoring.

Also, if you're going out to eat, check nutritional content ahead of time. MOST (not all) places post menu nutritional info on-line so you can plan meal accordingly.

It's actually not that bad. Been on a low sodium diet (Less than 1500mg daily) for almost a year. Sucked at first, but after about 6 months got used to it and know what I can and can't eat now.

['Hamas' Jenkins]

Originally Posted by TomBarndtsTwin

Eat lots of fruit and veggies. Avoid canned foods. Avoid fast food. AVOID table salt! Can eat about any meat still, especially grilling meat, just be careful what you season it with. Use sodium free seasonings, like Mrs. Dash, etc. Use salt substitute for flavoring.

Also, if you're going out to eat, check nutritional content ahead of time. MOST (not all) places post menu nutritional info on-line so you can plan meal accordingly.

It's actually not that bad. Been on a low sodium diet (Less than 1500mg daily) for almost a year. Sucked at first, but after about 6 months got used to it and know what I can and can't eat now.

A lot of it depends on the type of meat. Can't be anything pre-frozen. I generally prefer sweeter marinades, so that doesn't make chicken or fish too bad, but if I'm grilling a steak I want to put Lawry's on it.

The biggest issue, IMO, is having a diverse enough set of food to eat and not get bored with choices.

[Chiefshrink]

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

The biggest issue, IMO, is having a diverse enough set of food to eat and not get bored with choices.

and there's the rub for not just you but all of us and millions across this land.

[TomBarndtsTwin]

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

A lot of it depends on the type of meat. Can't be anything pre-frozen. I generally prefer sweeter marinades, so that doesn't make chicken or fish too bad, but if I'm grilling a steak I want to put Lawry's on it.

The biggest issue, IMO, is having a diverse enough set of food to eat and not get bored with choices.

Very true on the meat. Lawry's is definitely not a friend of the low sodium dieter, although they do make a 'lower sodium' seasoning salt (25% less sodium), but it honestly is still pretty high . . . .

[threebag]

Eat fresh. If you are lucky enough to live by a farmers market or such start there. Small amount of salt is necessary.

[Bowser]

Originally Posted by threebag02

Eat fresh. If you are lucky enough to live by a farmers market or such start there. Small amount of salt is necessary.

This. And if you have a CSA available in your area, join up. Farm fresh fruits, veggies and meat every week. You can literally taste the difference in foods off the farm compared to even organic selections at the store.