Sodium Intake

erin1311
erin1311 Posts: 2 Member
edited November 23 in Food and Nutrition
I'm doing well staying under my goal calories but I'm almost always over on sodium. Any tips for foods to eat so I can keep that in check? Seems like everything I eat has a good chunk of sodium in it so I'm at a loss.

Replies

  • DeguelloTex
    DeguelloTex Posts: 6,652 Member
    Unless you have a medical condition, you probably don't need to. Apart from that, the more food you make yourself from scratch, the more you can control the amount of sodium.
  • Kalikel
    Kalikel Posts: 9,603 Member
    I couldn't get my sodium under control until I started making my own food. All the processed stuff is overloaded with sodium. To me, my health is worth the effort it took, but it took a long time. Mostly, I just needed to come to terms with the fact that I needed to start making my own cottage cheese and stuff.

    There's a lot of good info on sodium here: http://sodiumbreakup.heart.org/sodium-411/
  • zyxst
    zyxst Posts: 9,149 Member
    Unless you have a medical issue where you need to keep sodium down, I wouldn't worry too much about it. You can try balancing it out with hydration and more potassium foods. I used this site - http://www.lowsaltfoods.com/default.htm - to help me sub for lower sodium alternatives. Yes, you can get "processed" foods that are low in sodium, so if you're willing to make certain changes, you don't have to start learning to churn butter or become an urban farmer.
  • LolaKarwowski
    LolaKarwowski Posts: 217 Member
    I just drink lots of water.
  • erin1311
    erin1311 Posts: 2 Member
    I feel much better now, thanks all!
  • Need2Exerc1se
    Need2Exerc1se Posts: 13,575 Member
    More homemade meals and less premade foods is a good way to cut sodium intake. I'm not sure I agree with the advice that you don't need to worry about it unless you have a medical condition. Prevention isn't a bad thing.
  • Jacqui_Runs
    Jacqui_Runs Posts: 68 Member
    I had a big problem with sodium. I used "Smart Balance" or "I can't Believe It's Not Butter" to cook, and I always went over on my sodium. Now I use a coconut oil cooking spray. No calories or sodium.
  • Lizzles4Shizzles
    Lizzles4Shizzles Posts: 122 Member
    Jacqui_Runs wrote: »
    I had a big problem with sodium. I used "Smart Balance" or "I can't Believe It's Not Butter" to cook, and I always went over on my sodium. Now I use a coconut oil cooking spray. No calories or sodium.

    Interesting... Coconut oil has plenty of calories in it just like olive oil - how do they turn it into a no-calorie spray? I love coconut oil and a spray would be awesome to have, but the no-calorie part sounds suspect. Good to know that it's low sodium, though. I had never paid attention before.
  • catbhn21
    catbhn21 Posts: 24 Member
    I cook most of my meals and I struggle with sodium too. And I never ever get enough potassium. Even on days where my diet subsist primarily of beans, vegetables, fruit and dairy. Its suuuuper frustrating.

    I notice potassium isn't always listed on nutrition facts, so I like to think part is incomplete entries...
  • zoeysasha37
    zoeysasha37 Posts: 7,088 Member
    I don't even both looking at my sodium. I have no medical problems so I don't worry about it. I like to look at my fat, protein and carbs and that's all I worry about
  • OldHobo
    OldHobo Posts: 647 Member
    erin1311 wrote: »
    I'm doing well staying under my goal calories but I'm almost always over on sodium. Any tips for foods to eat so I can keep that in check? Seems like everything I eat has a good chunk of sodium in it so I'm at a loss.
    DeguelloTex wrote: »
    Unless you have a medical condition, you probably don't need to. Apart from that, the more food you make yourself from scratch, the more you can control the amount of sodium.
    Follows as reliably around here as liturgical prayer and response.
    Deguello is right, though. The sodium in fresh produce, fresh (not cured!) meats, and most dairy isn't enough to hurt you, and that's the stuff from which you would, mostly, cook from scratch. It's all the boxed, canned and frozen cra stuff in the center aisles and endcaps of the store that's gonna kill you. About 30% of American adults have high blood pressure. Some significant percentage of those who don't yet have it will end up getting it. Wait until you're diagnosed to pay attention if you want to.
This discussion has been closed.

Categories