How do I eat less sodium

I don't. That's how i do it, hahaha. I don't.
I'm always over on sodium.
I just make sure that I don't put EXTRA salt on anything I eat, but really, I don't concern myself with it. Sodium will NOT make you gain "fat weight" it makes you gain "fake weight". It'll show on the scale (because you're retaining water & you're bloated) but its' not "real weight" that you've put on. Therefore, I don't even concern myself with being under on sodium. Just refrain from putting extra salt on your fries, potatoes, in soups, etc.

It's hard to avoid, it really is.

Stay away from frozen foods, canned foods, lunch meats, hot dogs...any processed foods. Pretty much don't go into the aisles of grocery stores and stay on the parameter where all the fresh foods are.

I think you just have to do it in moderation. Our bodies do need sodium, and a lot of foods naturally have sodium in them.

Are you eating any prepacked foods at all? I tried to peak at your diary but couldn't see it. I would suggest looking at the full day and seeing which items were highest in sodium and if they are "healthy" foods or things you could live without.

I just looked back at my diary and noticed that of the things I eat the following were my regular sources of sodium: bread (whole wheat), egg whites (no salt added), yogurt, cottage cheese, hummus, pita, milk. So there are all whole foods and have sodium.

looking at your diary I would say its all down to the amount of processed foods you are eating

I very rarely eat any processed foods - I do treat myself sometimes to a cookie or bag of chips but all main meals are made at home by me so I know exactly what goes into the foods

Less processed food. I made a home-made chicken noodle soup yesterday, total for the container (6 bowls) is 800mg of salt... that's less than a can of condensed soup that makes 2 bowls.
If it comes from a box or a can (and sometimes a bag of frozen veggies will have salt added for some reason) you're going to need to watch the salt.. bread? pasta?...
If you have to peel it yourself it's going to have less salt.

Definitely don't add salt to anything, I did for a long time just out of habit, always saw dad going shake shake shake till it looked like it had snowed on his plate for all the salt on it, finally stopped adding salt and almost everything I eat is plenty "salty tasting"

I had to really become a label reader. Anything that is even slightly processed seems to have an abundance of sodium added. I had to ditch processed foods, and make everything from the whole food. I also keep my breakfast and lunch to almost no added sodium, allowing for the extra at dinner, when I prepare for the family. Baked goods and processed meats are pretty high. Canned goods are, too, so rinse them when possible, and always look for low sodium versions. I can usually keep mine under 1500 a day, but it takes some dedication. Good luck!

Since there are just two of us I rely on frozen veggies so they don't go bad before we can eat them, but read labels carefully. I find the store brands tend to not have as high a sodium count. I also buy ingredients rather than meals, and I find if I make something like beans, I can make enough to get two meals. It does take a bit of planning, but you save calories, fat, sodium and money.

Stick with as much fresh veg, fruit, etc as possible. Keep an eye on foods that say "low fat" too, they often replace the fat with sodium. I either make my own or get the full fat and use less. I find the flavor is stronger, so I use less. Processed foods are full of sodium, such as rice dishes, dressings, sauces, lunch meats.
Your body needs a certain amount of sodium, but most Americans consume way more than we need.

It's a tough one. For some folks sodium is a killer, and for others it is not. I have cut my sodium on average from 3500 to 2000 and the blood pressure meds are almost not needed. For others it makes them retain water, and seemingly for others it doesn't matter.

There are lots of low sodium products available. IE: Tomato products, canned foods, and stuff like cottage cheese. Some of them taste like crap, and others it is hard to notice. You can try them. As already noted, fast food, and processed meats are really bad. Some cheeses are loaded, read the labels!

2000-2500 is what my nutritionist recommended, and it seems to have a positive effect.

You'll find that it is the same for carbs, and protein, each person responds differently. Carbs are a killer for me - even the good ones.

Good luck.

Yes, I had been using frozen veggies, because I am in college full time, and raising nine beautiful children, so very busy. I didn't realize that frozen veggies have sodium added, but was thinking they were more or less like fresh. I stopped using canned veggies, except for rare occasions.

I am struggling to not eat fast food, and will continue to avoid it. I think I will go clean out my kitchen, and get rid ofas much salt laden food as I can. It isn't good for my weight loss efforts, nor is it good for my husband, and children.

Anyone have a good low sodium recipe site?
Sheri

actually the "frozen veggies" that you are using have cheese sauce.

fresh frozen vegetables dont have added sodium.
easy enough to put a cup of broccoli and a cup of cauliflower in a tupperware container and take it. get some ground turkey, season it with mrs dash and MEASURE it into 4-ounce patties...fry in no stick oil and put that in the container too.... microwave it in the school cafeteria. if you pack a week's worth of to-go meals, you will know exactly whats in them and how much.
as far as the fast food goes, there are choices besides the burger and fries on most menus, if those dont fit into your daily meal plan, which you should have so you dont go into your day blindly. you have to know what you are going to eat so you can plan for it...on the rare occasion when i forget to pack something to take, i have cans of salmon and tuna at work...they arent what i had in mind for that day, but they are on my plan and i can sub them in if needed.
the tortillas arent your friend either...not enough nutrition for the calories/carbs/sodium. i would discontinue them and find something else, like lettuce leaves, if you have to have a wrap of some sort (but its messy) or just cut them out altogether.
your calorie total seems a little high for weight loss....do you have an exercise program in place?

It's a tough one. For some folks sodium is a killer, and for others it is not. I have cut my sodium on average from 3500 to 2000 and the blood pressure meds are almost not needed. For others it makes them retain water, and seemingly for others it doesn't matter.

There are lots of low sodium products available. IE: Tomato products, canned foods, and stuff like cottage cheese. Some of them taste like crap, and others it is hard to notice. You can try them. As already noted, fast food, and processed meats are really bad. Some cheeses are loaded, read the labels!

2000-2500 is what my nutritionist recommended, and it seems to have a positive effect.

You'll find that it is the same for carbs, and protein, each person responds differently. Carbs are a killer for me - even the good ones.

Good luck.

Exactly. I cut my sodium to 1500 and saw a massive difference, where as carbs do not seem to affect me that much at all. I do work out a lot though.

I think the turkey sausage may have more sodium than regular does. Not sure though, and use unsalted butter when you use it. I don't do butter substitutes the real stuff is better for me imo! And yes tortillas have some. Cheese has a lot so i only use a little. I use the steam bags of frozen veggies, no sauce added. For lunch today i had a yellow potato, small, baked in the microwave, with a tiny bit of butter salt and pepper. I add salt and pepper and a tiny bit of butter to the steamed broccoli i topped it with. I diced up two slices of hormel 100 natural deli ham and add to the potato and broccoli. Top with an 1/8 cup of cheddar cheese then melt and enjoy. Low cal and delicious, quick and easy too.

I know it is had but stay away from pre packaged food. Try and eat fresh veggies and fruit. They say an apple before meals help curbs your appetite. Use all white eggs, I just tried them, pretty good. Forget the cheese, I love it but it is loaded with sodium. Try chicken burgers, soy burgers, fresh chicken cutlets. Make smoothies if you can, Also drink only water or tea.