How I Cut 6,999mg of Sodium
By
Phillip Rhodes
June 01, 2011
Photo: Randy Mayor
That's three days' worth of salt. These examples show that some foods are worth avoiding; other cases just require sodium savvy.
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Cut Back on Hidden Sodium
Wondering where all the sodium is hidden? You’ll be surprised at the unlikely (and sometimes highly likely—looking at you, salty margarita) places we found the mg’s. Take a little trip with us through an editor’s day to see where he cut back.
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6:20 AM
Read cereal box before pouring the bowl. Had avoided Frosted Mini-Wheats because of the sugar but notice they contain much less sodium than my usual bran-and-raisin routine.
Saved: 245mg
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6:22 AM
While eating cereal, peruse milk label. See that milk naturally contains about 100mg sodium per cup. Hmm...
Saved: 0mg
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7:45 AM
Put new milk smarts to good use: Order 12-ounce dark roast instead of a mostly milk latte. Figure sodium savvy earns me a treat: a shot of half-and-half.
Saved: 114mg
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12:30 PM
Run out to fast casual soup-and-sandwich chain for lunch. Instead of a smoked turkey (smoked = salty) and Swiss on wheat, opt for roast beef and cheddar.
Saved: 810mg
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12:31 PM
Hold the pickle spear.
Saved: 306mg
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3:00 PM
Stressful meeting. Relieve frustration by ripping apart an orange instead of dipping into smoked almond supply.
Saved: 160mg
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6:15 PM
Tasty cocktail after work with friends at nearby Mexican place: Order margarita sans salt.
Saved: 435mg
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6:30 PM
Resist urge to polish off most of basket of chips. Restrain myself to, let's say, one-tenth.
Saved: 484mg
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7:15 PM
On the way home, pass billboard luring me to Taco Bell for 5 Buck Box of burritos and tacos. Resist.
Saved: 3,030mg
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7:40 PM
Start prepping dinner—two quick chicken paillards and salad. Recipe calls for ¼ teaspoon salt for chicken. Use kosher instead of table, which reduces sodium by 20%.
Saved: 110mg
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7:41 PM
Glad I bought natural chicken that hasn't been plumped with salty stock.
Saved: 440mg
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8:00 PM
Bypass the full-sodium bottle of vinaigrette and make my own.
Saved: 365mg
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9:30 PM
Time for House Hunters International. After 20 minutes of sofa surfing, feel heartburn coming on. Pop antacids—calcium-based instead of surprisingly sodium-heavy plop-and-fizz kind.
Saved: 500mg
Now, on to bed...