Baked French Fries and Other Low Sodium Foods that Can Save Your Life

In our fast food society, eating high sodium foods has overtaken our kitchens. From the quick burger and soda from Mc Donald's to prepackaged chicken fingers to the canned ravioli we feed our kids, Americans love our sodium. Our love of sodium, fat, preservatives, and other not-so-great food items have negatively affected our health. However, you will find if you substitute high sodium foods with these 10 items, you can make drastic changes that can save your life!

Low Sodium Food #1: 100 % Fruit or Vegetable Juice
Instead of consuming calorie and high sodium sodas, substitute instead with 100 percent fruit or vegetable juice. Whether you decide to juice it yourself or buy 100% juice from the local market, you are guaranteed not only to lower the number of calories you consume, but also add valuable vitamins and antioxidants to your meals. Always be sure to check that the juice you buy is 100 percent juice (and not a sugary sugar cocktail), and always be careful of sugar content if you have diabetes.

Low Sodium Food #2: Frozen vegetables
Short on time and money but want to include vegetables to your diet? Then instead of buying canned vegetables, opt for their much healthier and lower sodium cousins in the frozen vegetable aisle. You can enjoy the convenience of quick vegetables without the added salt and preservatives.

Low Sodium Food #3: Fruit
Another easy food to add to your diet, fruit like apples and bananas can satisfy your desire for something sweet while keeping you away from high sodium treats.

Low Sodium Food #4: Salads
Have a salad with a low fat, low sodium dressing at every meal to curb your appetite and add healthy vitamins to your diet.

Low Sodium Food #5: Fresh vegetables
If you have the time, fresh vegetables are a great addition to every meal whether as a healthy baked sweet potato, a healthy green bean casserole, or tossed into a salad.

Low Sodium Food #6: Homemade dinners
Fight the urge to buy prepackages meals that are stock full of preservatives, chemicals, and sodium. If you have to eat in a hurry, designate one day a week to making a homemade meal. Make it entirely from scratch if possible. Then package it up safely in the fridge for quick meals on the go.

Low Sodium Food #7: Water
Instead of ordering a soda when you go out, order a water instead. You will save yourself both calories and money, while hydrating yourself.

Low Sodium Food #8: Homemade baked goods
Once again, homemade is better because you can control the ingredients that go into your body.

Low Sodium Food #9: Baked French fries
Okay, so I added these into the mix since I love fries but do not love all of the extra fat and sodium. To make your own fries, you just need to slice sweet potatoes into the familiar steak fry or thin fry shape. Grease a cookie sheet and lightly coat your fries with extra virgin olive oil. Add some low sodium seasonings and bake until cooked (usually twenty minutes at 350 degrees).

Low Sodium Food #1: Smoothies
Enjoy the refreshed taste of low sodium smoothies. Add some yogurt, fruit, and protein powder for a healthy snack or meal.

Sources:
Bowden, Jonny. "The 150 Healthiest Foods on Earth,", Bowden.