Salt!!! Did you know????

Coco_Puff
Coco_Puff Posts: 823 Member
in Food and Nutrition
Did you know that 1/5 tsp. of salt has 590mg. in it? I didn't, I've been thinking that logging my food's sodium was enough. But what about the sprinkles here and there on my brown rice or brocoli? My Gosh, I had no idea? What are you guys using as a salt substitute?
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Replies

  • marsellient
    marsellient Posts: 591 Member
    I don't know about salt substitutes, except for fresh herbs and other spices, but I do know that you will lose your taste for it if you cut back the sprinkles and gradually stop adding salt to everything. The amount of sodium in processed foods is alarming isn't it?
  • runnercheryl
    runnercheryl Posts: 1,314 Member
    I just don't add salt. It took a little while to get used to not having it as a flavour, but now any foods with medium/high sodium, and anything with added salt, I just can't eat. The taste is too strong. McDonalds fries nearly make me sick when the salt's added in advance, for instance. I used to love them.
  • clouxles
    clouxles Posts: 71 Member
    Not much you can do... use sea salt at all times!
  • iamstaceywood
    iamstaceywood Posts: 383 Member
    Drink more water. I have been really good about eating cleanly (for the most part) but, as a foodie, You have to salt things to bring out the flavors. I use kosher only and i use it liberally. Sodium is the only thing you can water away. So, I just enjoy it and drink lots of water. Salt vs. processed food sodium and preservatives are two different animals.
  • mes1119
    mes1119 Posts: 1,082 Member
    I use salt all the time and I don't log it. I just make sure I drink enough water to help with the bloat.
  • XXXMinnieXXX
    XXXMinnieXXX Posts: 3,459 Member
    I use reduced sodium salt... Not quite the same taste though. I just drink lots of water x
  • Scatterdragon
    Scatterdragon Posts: 225 Member
    I never use salt.
  • LovesGG
    LovesGG Posts: 241 Member
    The same way you developed a taste for salt... you can develop a taste for no salt. You will get used to it after a while trust me.
  • mom2mozart
    mom2mozart Posts: 307 Member
    Sea Salt has a lower sodium content and tastes good. I only add it to recipes and log it. I use Mrs. Dash seasoning blends and they add tons of flavor. My favorites are: Italian Medley, Grilling Chicken Blend, and Southwest Chipoltle. All of them are fantastic. We don't miss salt with these seasonings.
  • Joannie30
    Joannie30 Posts: 415 Member
    Low sodium salt ("Lo-Salt" i think its called) or i use a tiny sprinkle of black pepper.
  • KatieJane83
    KatieJane83 Posts: 2,002 Member
    I use salt all the time and I don't log it. I just make sure I drink enough water to help with the bloat.

    Same. I'm ALWAYS over on sodium but I drink a ton of water every day
  • vjrose
    vjrose Posts: 809 Member
    A bit of real information on sea salt vs. table salt.
    http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/sea-salt/AN01142
  • aelarek
    aelarek Posts: 83 Member
    Low sodium salt ("Lo-Salt" i think its called) or i use a tiny sprinkle of black pepper.
    Pepper is my go-to man.
  • jazzkat68
    jazzkat68 Posts: 101 Member
    I use NuSalt. Its Potassium Chloride instead of Sodium Chloride. Potassium is essential in helping with regulating sodium in your body. Thus helping with blood pressure.
  • ShalisaClam
    ShalisaClam Posts: 190
    I am always over on my sodium. I do not add salt to anything. I drink a large amount of water, but if I am over my sodium for the day, I am bloated & puffy. I do take a water pill on top of that. So, does anyone know - can you just be 'salt sensitive'? I know that salt has no calories, but if you have it it can mask weight loss due to water retention. Is that the only reason?
  • sun33082
    sun33082 Posts: 416 Member
    Sea Salt has a lower sodium content and tastes good. I only add it to recipes and log it.

    Check the facts. Sea salt is not lower in sodium than "table salt". Salt is salt and has the same amount of sodium per teaspoon. However sea salt supposedly has more flavor which is supposed to make you use less plus the bigger crystals are supposed to make you use less because you can see it. Plus some people believe it has more nutrients. But definitely doesn't have less sodium.

    My tip is to stay away from processed foods and lower your sodium intake that way. Don't throw away the salt shaker. Processed foods may have a lot of sodium, but they are missing the iodine that is added to iodized salt. Most sea salt doesn't have the iodine either. People can develop an iodine deficiency because they are no longer using the iodized salt.
  • Umeboshi
    Umeboshi Posts: 1,637 Member
    I don't pay attention to my sodium at all. *Shrug*
  • stephyy4632
    stephyy4632 Posts: 947 Member
    I don`t add extra salt to anything never have ( also don`t add pepper just never liked it)
  • dakitten2
    dakitten2 Posts: 888 Member
    I dont use salt on my foods. I've learned that I can eat without it.
  • iroze
    iroze Posts: 78 Member
    Sea salt leaves you without the necessary iodine. Try sprinkling your food with lemon juice or adding lemon zest for natural saltiness.
  • pobski
    pobski Posts: 42 Member
    "No-Salt" is potassium! I can't tell a difference between it and regular table salt. Not many people get enough potassium in their diet either
  • tracferg
    tracferg Posts: 31 Member
    So am I understanding right that lots of water will flush it from your system if you have a high sodium day? Doesn't it still affect heart health or will the water flush your arteries more? I don't add it to anything and I am trying to avoid processed foods but this is good to know if I have a bad day!
  • Corrie_Lynn
    Corrie_Lynn Posts: 53 Member
    I just don't add salt. It took a little while to get used to not having it as a flavour, but now any foods with medium/high sodium, and anything with added salt, I just can't eat. The taste is too strong. McDonalds fries nearly make me sick when the salt's added in advance, for instance. I used to love them.

    I'm the same way! Any chips or fries and even a lot of restaurant food in general is terrible to me because of the salt.
    Also, I think someone else mentioned... when cooking, I always use sea salt, never table salt.
  • jmgehner
    jmgehner Posts: 1
    Just a note on salt substitutes. If you take blood pressure medicine be sure to check with your doctor before using a salt substitute some blood pressure medicines can make you retain potassium which is a pretty major ingredient in most actual salt substitutes. High potassuim levels can cause serious health issues.
  • AmandaK3
    AmandaK3 Posts: 80
    I use very little salt, and most of the time I use sea salt but only because the flavor seems to be better.

    If you stay away from processed foods you won't have a problem staying under the sodium intake.

    My doctor gave me a challenge, try and find a processed freezer meal that has less sodium than calories. If you do then that would be one the one to eat. I have yet to find one. I don't even eat processed meals but on occasion when I am at the store I will take a look just to see if there is a new one that meets that challenge.
  • robot_potato
    robot_potato Posts: 1,535 Member
    I don't use salt, not even for baking. I love fresh ground pepper. I add lemon or lime juice to my rice & chicken sometimes. I love cumin and curry powder. Rosemary tastes nice on chicen& veggies. I have a cupboard full of spices that serve me much better than salt.
  • hesn92
    hesn92 Posts: 5,966 Member
    I try not to add salt to my food anymore... I used to use insane amounts of salt on my food... but now that I'm trying to watch what I eat i will look at my food and think "ok this already has sodium in it, do I really want to add more? No, no I don't."
  • lauz45
    lauz45 Posts: 243
    I don't take any notice of my salt, maybe it's a UK thing, no one really makes a fuss about it? The NHS (national heath service) advise no more than 6g salt a day, which is a full teaspoon. But it's logged on here as mg, so am I right in thinking that's 6000mg? But the default on MFP is 2500mg/day, less than half the recommended UK amount.
  • UrbanRunner81
    UrbanRunner81 Posts: 1,207 Member
    I use very little salt. I like using herbs/spices more than salt.

    High sodium diets can lead to high blood pressure. I watch it because both my parents have high blood pressure.
  • Jade17694
    Jade17694 Posts: 584 Member
    I can't not eat salt... i just do't put as much on.

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