The dangers of Sodium

MeekMeals
MeekMeals Posts: 517 Member
edited September 24 in Food and Nutrition
Hello Pals!

I have recently began to notice how BAD sodium is for you! And have been taking steps and measures to try and not go over 2500 grams.

I need to know what do you all eat for snacks that are low in sodium. Nuts are fairly high (unless I get raw!) and cheese is high too.

Thanks for all of your expert advice!

Tameka

Replies

  • OLP76
    OLP76 Posts: 768 Member
    Fruit, Veggies, Greek Yogurt, Low Sodium Cottage Cheese, Ricecakes, no sugar/no salt peanut butter, rice crackers
  • crazytxmom
    crazytxmom Posts: 166 Member
    Anything in the produce department!!! Yogurt is pretty good too.
  • SongbirdLandy
    SongbirdLandy Posts: 188 Member
    I have problems with this as well! It seems like EVERYTHING in Louisiana is full of sodium! I've done where everywhere else but in that area! And I have high blood pressure, so it's really important that I figure this out!
  • wriglucy
    wriglucy Posts: 1,064 Member
    I know Canada lowered their amount to 1500, so that's what I aim for. I have high blood pressure and I'm 29, so I need to watch it. I agree, anything that is not processed should be lower in sodium. I also know that instead of adding salt to things, you can add garlic for flavoring.

    Good luck!
  • callipygianchronicle
    callipygianchronicle Posts: 811 Member
    Due to high blood pressure, I aim for 1500 mg or less. My diary is open & you can take a look at what I eat/snack on. I don’t eat many snacks on most days, but my most common snack is fruit.
  • DrumlineGirl
    DrumlineGirl Posts: 178 Member
    I'm vegetarian and I never go over on sodium, in fact I'm usually way under without even trying. And sometimes I do eat junk, but still don't go over. I don't know if it's because I don't eat meat, or I just happen to chose the right foods. I don't really pay attention to sodium because it's never a problem for me.

    Maybe try eating more fruits and veggies and avoid overly processed foods like cracker and frozen dinners.
  • hummzz
    hummzz Posts: 385 Member
    I too have recently been watching my sodium. It is very hard, but I did go shopping yesterday on the hunt for low sodium products other than produce of course. I just wanted to point out that when you buy 2% cheese or lower calorie items they typically have more sodium than the regular counterpart. I spent 2 hours in the store reading and comparing labels and realized that I would rather take the hit on calories & fat than the sodium. The calories and fat are not that significant between dairy products so you just have to decide which is more important to you...less calories/fat or less sodium. I chose less sodium!

    I posted a forum topic called: Sodium Support Group and the people that commented on there had some GREAT ways of reducing sodium.

    Just a side note: The "No Salt" Salt substitute is absolutely horrible tasting. Will be trying sea salt instead. The "No Salt" has No sodium at all, but OMG...the taste I just can't get past!
  • aquarelle
    aquarelle Posts: 2 Member
    I prefer nuts raw, actually, especially raw almonds. Vegetables and fruits are low in sodium, Fage plain Greek 0% yoghurt (I love it!), and Larabars; yum! They taste better than chocolate, and some have 0 sodium, or only 10-70 mg of sodium per bar.
  • bmcmforfun
    bmcmforfun Posts: 32
    Fruit, fresh veggies, greek yogurt and even the Walmart brand is not that bad in sodium. I also snack on Quaker True Delights Multigrain crisps. Blackberry Pomegranate is my fav. Most things frozen or from a can will be higher in sodium. Try to start going under the 2500 and make your goal 1500. You will feel better for it. I know I do! Best wishes!
  • tamanella
    tamanella Posts: 500 Member
    I have Polycystic Kidney Disease which causes high blood pressure, so I really try to stay below 1500mg myself. I've just been reading all the labels on everything and also when I preplan my meals for the next day I watch my sodium number to make sure I'm not going over or getting as close as I can. Sodium is everywhere, it's terrible!!

    I would like to see what others have to say also.
  • MeekMeals
    MeekMeals Posts: 517 Member
    I know Canada lowered their amount to 1500, so that's what I aim for. I have high blood pressure and I'm 29, so I need to watch it. I agree, anything that is not processed should be lower in sodium. I also know that instead of adding salt to things, you can add garlic for flavoring.

    Good luck!

    THANKS! Funny you should say "add garlic", because that's exactly what i've done!! I stopped adding salt to my meal when i cook, it takes some getting used to. 1500? wow, maybe i can strive for that eventually.

    Thanks!
  • MeekMeals
    MeekMeals Posts: 517 Member
    Fruit, fresh veggies, greek yogurt and even the Walmart brand is not that bad in sodium. I also snack on Quaker True Delights Multigrain crisps. Blackberry Pomegranate is my fav. Most things frozen or from a can will be higher in sodium. Try to start going under the 2500 and make your goal 1500. You will feel better for it. I know I do! Best wishes!

    THanks! Yes I keep forgetting about the wonders of the fruit. I run out of fruit so fast tho! I need to stay stocked on those items!
  • MeekMeals
    MeekMeals Posts: 517 Member
    I prefer nuts raw, actually, especially raw almonds. Vegetables and fruits are low in sodium, Fage plain Greek 0% yoghurt (I love it!), and Larabars; yum! They taste better than chocolate, and some have 0 sodium, or only 10-70 mg of sodium per bar.

    OMG yes! I luv larabars! Are they considered "processed"? I'm trying to stay clear of processed as much as i can. I need to check out this "greek" yogurt everyone keeps ranting about. I mean i looked at it the store and its a tad pricier than my nonfat, non sugar yogurt. But i'm curious to try it! And i need to grab some "raw" nuts ASAP!! THANKS!
  • navvs15
    navvs15 Posts: 165
    I was having trouble with this exact same thing, despite never adding salt on anything extra. But I became quite good a monitoring my sodium intake and haven't been over in quite a while!
  • MeekMeals
    MeekMeals Posts: 517 Member
    Due to high blood pressure, I aim for 1500 mg or less. My diary is open & you can take a look at what I eat/snack on. I don’t eat many snacks on most days, but my most common snack is fruit.

    Ok i will take a look at your diary. thanks!
  • AsaThorsWoman
    AsaThorsWoman Posts: 2,303 Member
    I'm vegetarian and I never go over on sodium, in fact I'm usually way under without even trying. And sometimes I do eat junk, but still don't go over. I don't know if it's because I don't eat meat, or I just happen to chose the right foods. I don't really pay attention to sodium because it's never a problem for me.

    Maybe try eating more fruits and veggies and avoid overly processed foods like cracker and frozen dinners.

    I have a tendancy to always be under EXCEPT on the days I eat food from a PACKAGE or RESTAURANT.

    Cooking fresh food at home = no worries on sodium.

    And I eat meat :)
  • aquarelle
    aquarelle Posts: 2 Member
    I prefer nuts raw, actually, especially raw almonds. Vegetables and fruits are low in sodium, Fage plain Greek 0% yoghurt (I love it!), and Larabars; yum! They taste better than chocolate, and some have 0 sodium, or only 10-70 mg of sodium per bar.

    OMG yes! I luv larabars! Are they considered "processed"? I'm trying to stay clear of processed as much as i can. I need to check out this "greek" yogurt everyone keeps ranting about. I mean i looked at it the store and its a tad pricier than my nonfat, non sugar yogurt. But i'm curious to try it! And i need to grab some "raw" nuts ASAP!! THANKS!

    You're welcome. I used to eat Dannon plain nonfat, and switched to Fage 0% after trying it just once. :o) It tastes better & keeps me fuller longer, maybe because it has much more protein -- while the calories are about the same. As for Larabars, they're as close to unprocessed as you can get. The ingredients are mainly dates, nuts, and other dried fruit.
  • MeekMeals
    MeekMeals Posts: 517 Member
    I'm vegetarian and I never go over on sodium, in fact I'm usually way under without even trying. And sometimes I do eat junk, but still don't go over. I don't know if it's because I don't eat meat, or I just happen to chose the right foods. I don't really pay attention to sodium because it's never a problem for me.

    Maybe try eating more fruits and veggies and avoid overly processed foods like cracker and frozen dinners.

    I have a tendancy to always be under EXCEPT on the days I eat food from a PACKAGE or RESTAURANT.

    Cooking fresh food at home = no worries on sodium.

    And I eat meat :)

    YES! RESTAURANTS ARE THE DEVIL!!!!!! How have they managed to stay around so long? That and the fast food "joints". No wonder Americans health are poor now (mine too thats the reason i'm on MFP)
This discussion has been closed.

Categories