$Unique_ID{BRK01287}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{Vegetables and Salt}
$Subject{salt vegetables community social diet sodium nutrition garden
vegetable dieter diets dieting plant plants herb herbs salts }
$Volume{Q-26}
$Log{}

Copyright (c) 1991-92,1993   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


Vegetables and Salt


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QUESTION:  I am now on a low salt diet to help keep my blood pressure under
control.  In trying to eat a low salt diet, I decided to fill my plate with
plenty of vegetables, thinking that they were all low in sodium.  My friend
says I can still get in trouble if I don't watch out what I prepare, but I
think she is wrong.  Can you offer me any words of advice or explanation?

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ANSWER:  You are certainly on the right track according to my book on
nutrition, for as a general rule, vegetables are low in sodium.  My impression
is that you and your friend, rather than talking about apples and oranges, are
talking about carrots and carrots, only she is thinking about the preserved or
canned type, while you are sticking by your guns and the right kind straight
off.  The fresh garden variety vegetable can be turned into a sodium
restricted dieter's nightmare when canned or preserved, if you don't pay
careful attention to those labels.  Plain frozen vegetables should contain no
salt, but when sauces are added, as in some gourmet preparations, liberal
quantities of salt or sodium containing additives are included to enhance
flavor.  Sodium may also be in some preservatives added to canned variety
vegetables.  Your best bet is to use fresh vegetables, prepared in your own
kitchen, using all the precautions about sodium and salt you have apparently
learned so well.  There you too must be cautious, using only the herbs and
flavorings which will not bring unwanted sodium to your plate.  Keep on the
alert and you will find many new recipes that add flavor without the risks
that sodium holds for you.

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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
problem.