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    SMOULINIER   23,710
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Sodium in food

Sunday, May 20, 2012

Last night my daughter and I went for dinner to Red Lobster and had what I thought was a healthy meal. I even said to my daughter "I know I'm going to go over on my calories with this, but I don't care." Those words will haunt me for a long time. Yes my calorie count was over my limit for the day but imagine my horror when I saw the amount of sodium I had ingested during the course of the day-9000 mg.! I swear I am not one of those people who automatically salts everything-in fact I can't remember the last time I used the salt shaker. I am trying to overcome this but I am finding it even more difficult than watching my intake (I am diabetic) and other nutrients (fats). I have become a real label reader of late and have actually put things back on the shelf because the sodium was too high. Any suggestions, encouragement, advice would be appreciated. Thanks! emoticon
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  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

MOMMA_BEAR_69 5/21/2012 3:01AM

    I very rarely eat out anymore as it is too difficult to manage the sodium count in the foods unless I eat salads minus the dressings. I a, experiencing extremely high blood pressure along with hydrocephalus. Seven BP meds isn't helping lowering it under 190/72. Sometimes it is over 206. Getting excited about seeing the brain surgeon...hoping he can do something to remove the blockage to the brain when I see him on June 11. Will still have to watch the sodium intake. I have to say I have come a long way from my childhood when I loved, LOVED, eating rock salt every winter. Now I stay away from all added salt as sodium occurs naturally in many things anyway. Fresh or frozen helps to keep the sodium count down. No prepared or canned foods without washing before fixing.
Have a great week.

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BIBS4664 5/20/2012 2:08PM

    I too watch my sodium. Sometimes I am able to check out the restaurant's menu before I go. I also use the one cheat treat and let it go. Drink your water and exercise helps to get the fluid movin our of the body.

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TEENIEME3 5/20/2012 12:08PM

  I know exactly how you feel! I have done the exact same thing! Literally, dinner at Red Lobster with My Daughter! (lol)
It was really awesome meal until I got home and figured out what exactly I ate! Then....the guilt hit!
But....I chalked this meal up to my one 'cheat meal' for the month and got through it.
You can too.
Just don't dwell on the past, always move forward...no looking back!
You can do it.
Live for today!
Good Luck! emoticon

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JESSIG5 5/20/2012 12:07PM

    The sodium more than anything is what gets me. I have trouble meeting my other guidelines, including calories some days yet the sodium is a problem. I have changed to eating as many fresh items as I can instead of canned or restaurant food. Any recipe that I cook I use an herb/spice seasoning with no sodium in it. Flavored vinegars, garlic and onion are also good to add taste without the salt. However, restaurant food will always be a problem. It is critical for me as I have high blood pressure.

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LUCYGODDESS 5/20/2012 12:05PM

    If you pull up their nutritionals before you go next time, there are several options of things you can get that are lower calories and fats...usually my sides I get are a baked potato with only a side of pico de gallo for it...no butter no sour cream and a side of asparagus (extra charge but so worth it) or steamed broccoli or a side salad with low fat italian dressing. NO CHEDDAR BAY BISCUITS but if you must nibble only one...ONLY ONE! Also prepare in the day earlier for this yummy meal by eating low calorie low fat. As far as sodium not sure...but I look for the low calories, low fat.

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