Trying to figure out why you can't shed those pounds even though you're exercising and dieting? The answer could very well be that you have too much sodium in your diet.
In an effort to moderate food portions and have a quick meal, many of us (yes, I include myself) resort to eating pre-packaged meals. Take a look at that label. Those Smart Ones and Lean Cuisines are loaded with sodium. That quick meal fix could very well have given you more than a third of your sodium intake for the day.
Sodium traps water and can keep you from shedding pounds. Perhaps more importantly, it's not good on your heart to have that much sodium!
I'm a label reader. It doesn't take too long to check the sodium content of things (especially those meals). Opt for the ones that have 20% of your daily sodium intake or less. It's possible! Trust me, I have a freezer full of Lean Cuisines, etc.
In general, eating dinners out can almost triple your sodium intake. All those foods are prepared with lots of sauces, etc. Just be mindful of your options- Chinese food is a real killer in this category.
Some food for thought. :-)
~Katie
Sodium is also terrible for your blood pressure. Do you know which frozen foods are (relatively) good about sodium levels? I couldn't tell if you were recommending Lean Cuisine or not with respect to sodium. :)
ReplyDeleteHere are some that I've found are ok (25% or less):
ReplyDeleteLean Cuisine Chicken and Vegetables
Lean Cuisine Garlic Chicken
Morningstar Lasagna with Sausage Crumbles
SmartOnes Lasagna
Even 25% is rough for a sodium intake, but given that it's dinner, it's not so bad. I'll post others if I find them! :-)
Here are a few others that are pretty good:
ReplyDeleteLean Cuisine Grilled Chicken Primavera
Lean Cuisine Turkey and Vegetables
Lean Cuisine Salmon and Basil