Sodium = Arch Nemisis

eeeekie

Sodium is a b*tch. Excuse my language!

I have such a hard time with sodium. I go over my sodium almost every day, especially this week. The next few days are gonna be tough in regards to processed foods. I have oranges left but no other fresh fruit. I have celery but I don't like it raw (I guess I could try too)

Any ideas when I can go shopping Friday to get stuff that's low in sodium that I can snack on throughout the day? Things that are also low calorie? Fresh Fruit, Fresh Veg is about what I can come up with. I need something that will pack a punch (make me feel full/satisfied when I drink lots of water with it) oats/nuts? I don't know.

My friend told me to get some almonds and snack on a couple of those for snacks but I just can't picture 8 almonds making me feel full or satisfied when I'm hungry and waiting for my next meal.

Ideas!?

kelika71

My diary is open if you want to look at it.

Meats that are not breaded...just plain. Do your own toppings/marinades where you control the sodium.

Buy fresh veggies/fruits. If not avail, then frozen. Canned/jarred last. If you must do the last option, read labels (as you always should) to find the lowest one. Some makers are going no sodium route.

Definitely make your own whenever possible.

MizzDoc

I have the same problem as well. I try to increase my water intake to flush it out. But like you, sodium seems to sneak in on me. By lunch time, I am already over. Sigh :embarassed:

eeeekie

The meats are what kill me. I don't eat beef (I haven't for over 7 years). Pork, soooooooooooo high in sodium and I like Bacon. I don't eat hot dogs unless they are turkey. And to my surprise...stupid turkey dogs are HIGH in sodium! I ate 2 of them yesterday and went well over my sodium allotment. Today, I made a breakfast for me and my step-dad. I did his normal (fried potatoes..etc) and I did mine healthy (not fried!) and instead of bacon I thought a serving of a normal ham would be fine but nope! It was so high in sodium. It hasn't put me over but I'm sure tonight I'll be over...just because my parents have decided to make pork for dinner...UGH.

Thank you for letting me look at your diary Kelika...much appreciated. Beautiful Diary

eeeekie

I have the same problem as well. I try to increase my water intake to flush it out. But like you, sodium seems to sneak in on me. By lunch time, I am already over. Sigh :embarassed:

Me too. I drink between 12-17 cups of water now!

rvice2

I like almonds as a snack, but one serving is more like 28 almonds! I also like Fiber One yogurt. It is light on the sodium as well. Raisins aren't exactly a fresh fruit, but have no sodium in them. I agree with the previous post - try to cook with fresh stuff, then frozen, then canned as a last result. Even frozen veggies can have a lot of sodium. I was shocked when I made vegetable soup last week and didn't use cans. I used frozen and it was still high! I started making regular chili and white chicken chili with dried beans. Takes a little more planning, but until MFP I never realized how much sodium I was ingesting! I still am usually high, but I am taking steps to help reduce it.

eeeekie

Thanks Rvice!


I find it extremely annoying that Celery has sodium. I just ate some and am now annoyed lol I thought it was 0 on everything.

kelika71

Thank you, eeeekie.

When it comes to sodium and meat, pork is one of the worst things to have. I very seldom use it for any meal. I switched to Butterball Low Sodium turkey bacon so I could still have that in the morning without killing my intake.

Chicken, turkey and fish are going to be your better choices over pork. Sorry. Even then, those have sodium. I'm just paranoid about it so I always try to rinse things off. Whether it helps with the meat, I don't know. I know they say to rinse canned stuff to reduce it. Surely can't hurt?! lol

callipygianchronicle

It’s hard to give specific advice, but just know that learning what to eat takes time. Due to high blood pressure, I try limit my sodium to 1500 mg a day, but i average around 1650. Doing this means cooking from scratch. My diary is open, feel free to scroll through and have a peak.

Processed foods are almost universally high in sodium. Especially any processed meats (lunch meat, hot dogs, etc). Bread is another killer. You have to read the labels and find ones that are under 200 mg (under 140 is best). Cheese, my old best friend, is very high and salt, so you have to eat it sparingly. I buy low sodium bacon, but I don’t eat it more than once a week. As for snacks, I primarily snack on fruit, now. But I also love almonds and pepitas, which now take the place of chips for me.

ladyhawk00

The meats are what kill me. I don't eat beef (I haven't for over 7 years). Pork, soooooooooooo high in sodium and I like Bacon. I don't eat hot dogs unless they are turkey. And to my surprise...stupid turkey dogs are HIGH in sodium! I ate 2 of them yesterday and went well over my sodium allotment. Today, I made a breakfast for me and my step-dad. I did his normal (fried potatoes..etc) and I did mine healthy (not fried!) and instead of bacon I thought a serving of a normal ham would be fine but nope! It was so high in sodium. It hasn't put me over but I'm sure tonight I'll be over...just because my parents have decided to make pork for dinner...UGH.

Thank you for letting me look at your diary Kelika...much appreciated. Beautiful Diary

Actually there are cuts of pork that are not that high in sodium. Pork tenderloin is GREAT (a bit expensive but goes a long way), as well as some other cuts of pork that have lower fat and aren't cured. Just keep experimenting.

xlacijeanx

Sodium is a b*tch. Excuse my language!

I have such a hard time with sodium. I go over my sodium almost every day, especially this week. The next few days are gonna be tough in regards to processed foods. I have oranges left but no other fresh fruit. I have celery but I don't like it raw (I guess I could try too)

Any ideas when I can go shopping Friday to get stuff that's low in sodium that I can snack on throughout the day? Things that are also low calorie? Fresh Fruit, Fresh Veg is about what I can come up with. I need something that will pack a punch (make me feel full/satisfied when I drink lots of water with it) oats/nuts? I don't know.

My friend told me to get some almonds and snack on a couple of those for snacks but I just can't picture 8 almonds making me feel full or satisfied when I'm hungry and waiting for my next meal.

Ideas!?

Not 8 almonds, more like 14 (.5 servings) or 28 (1 serving) I like pairing the almonds with my apples, since nuts are so dry. you Chicka ur doin great!