Low Sodium Foods

lovie113

Whats are some healthy foods to eat that has low sodium?? I been eating a lot of soups and frozen steamer that low-fat but high in sodium. I believe I'm holding a lot of water weight. Any suggestions on food with low-sodium?? I have a very busy life so theses are most convient but they are not helping me reach my goal.

KanCrav

I would like to see some of the things people post here. I have a big problem with sodium myself. The only things I have found lost enough are fresh things or frozen veggies (without prepacked seasoings). I LOVE salt and even though I try to watch my sodium I cant seem to enjoy things without throwing some extra salt on top.

steph5565

A fresh diet with veggies, fruits, oats, yogurt, lean meats and fish will be low in sodium, packaged foods are the number one source of salt in Americans' diets. Some other tips I've found to help; 1. Shop on the "outside ring" of the grocery store - that's where all the fresh products are located (avoid all the salty, processed foods that line the interior shelves. If you can't pronounce the ingredients, it can't be good for you!). 2. Stock up on exotic spices from cumin to curry. It's fun to experiment and they can serve in place of salt if you tend to reach for the shaker. Just check the packages to make sure that they don't have salt added (i.e., sometimes lemon pepper can) 3. I love Bikram yoga to release the water weight (90 minutes of yoga in a 105 degree, 60% humidity room). You sweat like crazy and release all those toxins that build up in your blood. It feels amazing once you finish and you start to crave fresh foods.

Hopefully that helps!

steph5565

Oh, and many of the soups you've been eating may have been full of MSG (if they were not home-made). The manufacturers will often sneak it in under the title "Yeast Extract" or "Hydrolyzed Yeast Extract", because those are naturally occuring forms of glutamate. Either way, it will cause you to retain water like crazy (and MSG is definitely not good for you). Even "healthy" brands often do, so always read the label (which may also be a shocker since half of the ingredients typically seem to be unpronounceable scientific jargon).

Seesaa

sara lee and farmland have lower sodium ham.
wonder smart bread has lower sodium in it.
Progresso makes lower sodium soups, but anything pre packaged is bound to have alot.
steel cut, old fashioned oatmeal has none unless you add it. the none microwave kind only takes 5 mins once the water is boiling so maybe 7ish and is better for ya.
fruits and veggies steamed (I get mine from wal mart the great value kind) No canned veggies.

I have been on here for 200 days...sodium has been the biggest issue. I now have to plan my days around it and be aware that I am going to go over on days because it has made a difference in my weight loss due to water retention.

Some things I've learned...going out to eat...you may as well forget about it unless you are just having a salad and i mean...just lettuce lol. your day is blown and big time...i had a 550 cal meal from applebees came home and looked it up it is over 1000+ in sodium...it wasn't even that good and you could have had the same sodium for something more satisfying on the menu. you gotta research your options before you go out.

There is also no such thing as a low sodium hot dog. May as well try and make your own some how lol

I did find jenni o original turkey burgers are rather low in sodium but only the originals, you got the other kinds they are 400+

My biggest offender by far...American cheese slices 2% or other wise. so I have switched to sargento low sodium natural cheese only 90 mg of sodium per slice in the colby jack kind and swiss is low in sodium as well.

I am also trying Silk milk as it is lower in sodium as well compared to regular, but i just picked that up this week.

Other then that I'd compare different things and look into fresh food when ya can.

It took not long for me to realize just because something is healthy in cals and what not it is usually packed with sodium so you just got to be smart about your combination of foods and plan your day out if you are going out to eat cause that water retention will get ya. hard core some times. crazy stuff.

SweatinSammie

Ahhh the sodium question - my favorite!!! New suggested healthy sodium is 1500 a day, not 2500! And I think that nearly every American is eating wayyy more than both of those suggested intakes!

Unfortunately the answer to your question is to stop eating processed foods - if it comes prepackaged, stay away! At the beginning of each week I cook a HUGE bowl of veggies and add a little smart balance, pepper, and garlic powder (sometimes low sodium soy sauce - even though that still has a ton of sodium). This lasts me through half of the week and then I cook up another batch. Once or 2x a week I cook (or microwave if I don't have the time) rice, fingerling potatoes, or sweet potatoes to have a starch along with my veggies.

I think breakfast is probably the easiest time to stay away from processed foods... fresh fruits, eggs, no salt added cottage cheese, peanut butter, and 75% fat free cheese are my basis for breakfasts (just some suggestions).

Lunch is usually the hardest for people because they need something quick... once again my answer is steamed vegetables. I am a vegetarian, but when I did eat meat I would buy fresh fish and chicken once or twice a week and cook that in some light evoo.

There are lots of 'low sodium' products out there and it's a good idea to check them out but just be careful. Low sodium soups are still very high in sodium. But there are lots of canned veggies and lightly salted snacks that are super yummy!

If you do enjoy soup - there is an all natural vegetable/chicken stock out there that is only 35 mg of sodium per serving! I cannot remember the brand, but it's in a green box

tethomas73

This is a great question love113. At least twice a week I go over my daily sodium. I notice that a lot of low fat frozen food and deli meats are high in sodium.. I would also like to know if there is something you can use instead of salt?