Sodium!

BornxVillain

I cannot seem to keep my sodium down!

What are some alternatives you all use in place of salt?
I've tried just with the pepper and it just isn't good, and I hate not being able to enjoy my food.
I rarely go far over, but I still know how bad you can bloat and retain water with all that extra sodium.

What foods to avoid? Best replacements? Help!

Thank you!! :flowerforyou:

SoreTodayStrongTomorrow222

I cannot seem to keep my sodium down!

What are some alternatives you all use in place of salt?
I've tried just with the pepper and it just isn't good, and I hate not being able to enjoy my food.
I rarely go far over, but I still know how bad you can bloat and retain water with all that extra sodium.

What foods to avoid? Best replacements? Help!

Thank you!! :flowerforyou:

I never know the answers to these questions... I eat teaspoons of himilayan sea salt everyday to maintain my vitamin and mineral retention (I drink A LOT of water) and nothing can ever be salty enough for me ...

BornxVillain

How much water on average do you drink a day?

Dedshot

I stopped adding salt to my meals a while ago. At first it was a bit bland but I got over it, and I think food without salt tastes even better than with it. When I eat something salty like Chinese food though, I'll just drink extra water. I personally drink about 10 cups a day (without the extra from eating salty things).
I suggest trying the food without adding it, you could be surprised. It'll be different but I think you'll find it tastes very good. Plus you'll feel better about it once you're not so bloated afterwards :P

LassVegas

Agreed on the above. Nothing is going to substitute for that "flavor" (for lack of a better way to put it). It's more about training your taste buds to prefer food without it and it's a good idea to just plain stop salting your food regardless of what other herbs and spices you may use. And you'll want to be super vigilant about reading food labels on packaged foods. They are very often absolutely packed with sodium. Even things that claim they are supposed to be healthy.

Sunbrooke

You may be able to cut your sodium without even realizing it. Start looking at nutrition labels and only buy low sodium soy sauce and canned goods. Sodium varies a lot and I don't really notice a difference, so I usually pick the lower sodium product. Some wraps are 22 percent daily sodium, add some 20 percent of your daily sodium deli meat, some 12 percent of your daily sodium cheese, and some kind of sauce, and you have over half of your daily sodium without adding any salt.

Zumaria1

Mrs. Dash seasoning is a great substitute for salt, it tastes really good on everything, veggies, chicken, etc. Also, squeezing a little lemon on your meats gives a lot of flavor, and lets you use less salt. Try using different herbs that give flavor as well. Poultry seasoning and sage taste great on chicken, thyme and rosemary on pork, oregano is great for Italian dishes. Try to use fresh garlic, onions, and peppers to food as well, it adds so much flavor to the foods. I don't think putting a little salt in the food you cook give the food too much salt, it can also be using too many canned veggies, you could opt for frozen or fresh instead that don't have any added salt. I find the biggest challenge is eating out, that is where there is a HUGE amount of sodium.

donyellemoniquex3

I second the mrs dash ! My mom's on a low sodium diet because of her heart.

smc864

Mrs Dash is the best!!! I have all the different flavors and I seriously use it on everything.

nourishnotpunish

Mrs Dash... But c'mon, salt is amazing ... Drink more water.

BornxVillain

Thank you all so much for the great replies! I think I will hide my Salt Shaker and get off cold turkey, and I will pick out some Mrs. Dash - I really appreciate all the help!! :drinker: