Pre-packaged or frozen dinners has never been something I serve much. I almost said Vince “loves” pre-packaged foods but I don’t think he loves them but he will eat them way more than I will. Yesterday I threw out wieners, deli meat, etc. There are cans of ravioli and all kinds of Asian quick mix type boxed dinners that need to go.
I did switch to turkey bacon for our breakfast. I bought a package of Butterball
Oatmeal with strawberries – 0 – mg
Applegate Bacon – 200 mg
Crackers – 140/serving – 7 crackers. We had 3 each so that’s less than 70 mg.
Sardines – 200 mg per can – We split it so we each had 100 mg
Salad with various greens, avocado (5 mg), tomatoes (6 mg), balsamic vinegar/olive oil for dressing (4 mg) with half a chicken breast (50 mg). I also added a few walnuts. One cup of walnuts has 2 mg of sodium so for the few I added to the salad, I’ll generously add 1 mg. Also added were dried blueberries which have no sodium.
For a snack, Vince had 1 T. peanut butter on 1 cracker so that’s an additional 22 mg. He also had an apple, an orange and a banana, which together add 3 mg.
That’s a total of 461 mg of sodium for the day.
Turkey Bacon
The photo may be a little hard to read but the Butterball is on the left and the Applegate is on the right. At first glance, the Applegate bacon looks to be high in cholesterol but, the serving size of the Applegate is 28 g. where the serving size of the Butterball is 14 g., so for a true comparison, everything on the Butterball would have to be doubled to yield the same amount of food. The Butterball has 135 mg. of sodium so comparing to the same size of the Applegate, the Applegate is 200 g. whereas the Butterball would be 270.
I have not tasted the Butterball bacon yet but the Applegate was very tasty. In fact, last night, I told Vince I was really looking forward to having more turkey bacon! Honestly, after just one day of having it, I think I prefer it to regular bacon.
Here’s a comparison of turkey bacons done by Food Network that Vince found last night. I had purchased the two brands of turkey bacon Wednesday and bought the Applegate simply because it looked good and bought the Butterball because of brand recognition.
The Applegate is a little more expensive than the other brands I saw but I wouldn’t hesitate to use it as my only bacon. I think it would make a good BLT but let’s not talk about bread and mayo for a while.
Even adding a Dr. Pepper for me, I still had barely over 500 mg. of sodium yesterday.
Either I’m missing something or staying without our sodium limits is a piece of cake!
Sue says
I’ve been doing this for afew years now since DH passed away in the ambulance with the same issues as Vince…the staff was waiting at the door and they intibated him immediately. He made it but oh man has it been an education just buying food and fixing meals. I always have read your blog each day with coffee but now I’ll be visiting afew times a day. For a decade I’ve referred to your cooking, preserving and methods of cooking to my family because to me you are a cooking queen, now I will hopefully learn as you do what I still don’t know and get some different meal ideas. I’m so grateful Vince is on the mend and your both doing well….Rita the cutie too. Thanks for sharing what your finding/ learning as you go.
Pinot and Piecing says
I rinse any and every kind of ham or bacon first in a stream of water, then pat it dry before I put it in the skillet. It still tastes great, and far less sodium that way.
Liz says
Have you tried coco aminos? It is a coconut based sauce and can be used instead of soy sauce.One tsp. has 10 calories,160 mg sodium, 2g natural sugar. Every other number is zero. No soy, no gluten, and whole 30 food compliant.
Marilyn Smith says
Liz, does it taste like soy?
Liz says
I used to have a bottle of soy sauce in my refrig and never used it. I like it better than soy, probably because of the salt issue. It boosts the savory/meaty flavor of foods. The ingredients are coconut blossom nectar, water and sea salt. It is also used in the Paleo diet. It is good for anyone who has to cut out soybeans or legumes.
Judy emailed me to say thanks for reminding her about it. She had a bottle and is going to use it in her dinner tonight. Perhaps she can tell us if Vince like the salmon tonight!
Judy Laquidara says
In the recipe we used, I couldn’t tell the difference. I’ve made it several times and Vince didn’t notice any difference.
Tina in NJ says
I only eat bacon occasionally or in spurts. Years ago, I tried turkey bacon and found that it spoiled a lot faster than regular pork bacon, probably because it had less salt. I found don’t use it quickly enough, you might want to freeze smaller portions.
Tina in NJ says
If YOU don’t use it… sorry.
Marilyn Smith says
Wheat Thins and Triscuits come in a low sodium and are a lot less salty.
Wanda says
Judy you can make your bacon and use less salt. I like less salt so it hasn’t bother me but hubby is revolting big time. He has been on and off low salt for 18 years .
Goes along find them BAM. I too got rid of weinners,ham and other high salt items Don’t throw away take to your local food bank. I volunteer and I did my packaged stuff . Someone can always use the good ev e n the Salvation army will take some. I carried them cases of expired for mix. Called company said still good just add more baking powder. So fine someone for food. It will make getting rid of it easier.
Liz says
You may want to check with the hospital/doctor about the low amount of salt. Your past post said they wanted you to be under 2,400 mg and you were trying for under 1,500/day.
If you go too low, that can cause even more health issues. Check the internet for the articles on low sodium which can be the result of not having enough salt or too much water.
Judy Laquidara says
Primary care said 1,500 and most everything I’ve sen online said 1,500 . . that’s why we were going with that number.
Linda Enneking says
I spent three days in the hospital last year because of low sodium. Not fun.
Mary says
Don’t forget that water (as in tap water) has sodium. It’s hidden a lot of places you don’t think about.
Judy Laquidara says
We have well water and have it tested annually. So long as we don’t drink water that’s gone through the water softener, we aren’t getting measurable sodium in our water.
cassews says
It turns your world upside down when there is heart problems: but with a little education, research and patience one can enjoy spices, herbs and a better lifestyle ..
Sounds like you are already on the way there !!!
obed101 says
four months ago we started doing Sensible Meals, we pick up a prepackaged meal every sunday and eat the three meals a day for 5 days. I have lost 38 lbs of stress/fastfood weight I picked up during the Horrible Year of the Great Flood when we lost our home. What it has taught me was that I can eat food but my portions need control. It surprising how much less food I really need!
Ethelann Wood says
Hi , There are also uncured meat products such as bacon and hot dogs for the “occasional” fix. Oscar Meyer is one brand. They are very good and a better choice for the once in a while treat.
Judy Laquidara says
We mostly buy uncured bacon.
danielle nabozny says
Thanks for addressing all my questions! I am still trying to explain to husband that you cant go to zero sodium…..but you can/should make informed choices and choose moderation…..he is still having isssues realizing that just about every type of food has some sodium in it! LOL
danielle nabozny says
no dressing on the salad?
danielle nabozny says
oops sorry – just reread it for the 3d time and saw the answer to this…..