TOP ATE Tips to Trim Your Salt Intake

Excess sodium could be hiding out in unsuspected foods you chew. Check out Hungry Girl's tips to help you cut back on salt. DO IT!

1. Cooking at home? Try more herbs, less salt. It's a good mantra. "More Herbs, Less Salt" even has its own holiday. (Not kidding. It's August 29th.)




2. At restaurants, steer clear of "seasoned" or "blackened" items. Those vague words can translate to a LOT of salt. Choose "broiled" or "baked" instead...

3. With soups, spoon selectively. Use no-salt-added or low-sodium broth when cooking, and you'll save at least 400mg sodium per cup (compared to standard broth).




4. Need tomato sauce?Get crafty in the kitchen. Ditch pasta sauces; use no-salt-added canned crushed tomatoes. Or crush canned salt-free whole tomatoes yourself. (Use your hands -- it's fun!) Simmer 'em, season 'em with herbs, and spare yourself about 500mg sodium per half-cup.

5. Trade salsa for diced fresh tomatoes, onions, chilies, and herbs. It takes a bit of effort but will save you around 350mg per quarter-cup!





6. Go for frozen veggies; can the cans. If the convenience of the canned kind is too tough to resist, seek out no-salt-added stuff.

7. Skip the deli meats. Bake your protein. Lean chicken and turkey are simple to whip up. Bake up some no-salt-added breast meat, slice it thin and keep on hand for your sandwich-making pleasure. Save up to 300mg for every ounce.




8. Scale back slowly. If you use your salt shaker excessively, don't go cold turkey. Start by simply sprinkling less, and your taste buds will adjust as you decrease your usage.

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