More water to drink and less salt to consume
By Kristen Howe
@KristenH (33386)
Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio
June 21, 2016 12:08pm CST
Yesterday morning I had my annual physical at my doctor's to check on last week's bloodwork. Though I knew I'm still underweight at 115 pounds, I need 10 pounds to be at normal weight. Maybe by the end of the year. I did gain 2 pounds last night. So that's something.
She wants me to drink more water, since my blood's a bit thick at a high percentage. I do drink 2 glasses or half a bottle a day. I drink 1/3rd of it at the gym and the rest at home. Though I hated to hate fasting, one of my good cholesterol numbers were a tad high. So she wants me to eat less sodium foods and fresh produce over frozen or canned like steamed veggies.
Other than that, I go back in six months for my 2nd annual physical and to do my Pap smear test. 
She also told me to schedule a mammogram test since I'm now 40 and do it at my own time. So I'll do it around August to September at some time, hopefully.
Anyone have suggestions for low-sodium meals and fresh produce to steam for me?
She also told me to schedule a mammogram test since I'm now 40 and do it at my own time. So I'll do it around August to September at some time, hopefully.
Anyone have suggestions for low-sodium meals and fresh produce to steam for me?17 people like this
17 responses
@Marilynda1225 (82798)
• United States
21 Jun 16
I tend to stay away from processed foods which are always high in sodium and I either grill or steam my veggies since they don't really need salt to heighten the taste. Good luck with your weight gain
5 people like this
@KristenH (33386)
• Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio
28 Jun 16
@enlightenedpsych2 Yes they are. My brother told me about them 2 years ago.
@moffittjc (121582)
• Gainesville, Florida
22 Jun 16
Unfortunately, I'm in the opposite situation...because I am outside so much of the day, and live in hot and humid Florida, I tend to sweat out all my salt in my body, so my doctor is always telling me that I need to consume MORE salt! Never in the world would I have though a doctor would be giving that advice! lol
3 people like this
@moffittjc (121582)
• Gainesville, Florida
22 Jun 16
@KristenH Not to worry...I've got great blood pressure readings, and a great pulse and heart rate, and I drink tons of water all day long! I'm healthy as a horse!
3 people like this
@kevin1877uk (36988)
•
24 Jun 16
I have 10 pounds to lose lol I've put a little on but maybe I need it although it doesn't feel right, always been slim until this last year or so when I've put maybe 6 or 8 pounds on.
Your blood is too thick, so can, drinking more water thin your blood?
1 person likes this
@kevin1877uk (36988)
•
25 Jun 16
@KristenH As long as you are ok, that's all that matters 
1 person likes this
@Jessicalynnt (50523)
• Centralia, Missouri
21 Jun 16
you will make much from scratch. can do your own stir fry, with chicken, and make your own sause
3 people like this
@just4him (317041)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
22 Jun 16
Good idea to get rid of that canned crap. High sodium. Any fresh veggie is good for you and you can steam all produce, except maybe lettuce. I like to eat fresh produce raw. That's the best way to eat it. I think you might need to drink more water than that. You should be drinking 8 glasses a day and if it's bottled water - 4 bottles or more.
1 person likes this
@KristenH (33386)
• Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio
22 Jun 16
@just4him I have Brita too. I recently brought a new one in April, one of those Space-savers to fit in the fridge. I use Mio liquid water enhancers as well. Good tip. I had a mug of water this morning and the rest of my water bottle so far.
1 person likes this
@just4him (317041)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
22 Jun 16
@KristenH You need that much a day. I have a Brita Water pitcher. The filters are only $5 each. I get the three pack. It saves on buying the 24 pack of water, of which I bought 4 at a time from Wal-Mart. My daughter had a Tupperware party a couple months ago and they had water bottles in several sizes. I bought two of their largest - 36 oz. I keep one by my bedside and one on my desk. I am constantly refilling them. I have no idea how much water I'm drinking. But at least two bottles a day and at 72 oz. minimum a day, I'm getting the minimum amount of water. I used to not drink any water because I didn't like it. Bottled water helped me drink water, and the filter is just as good as bottled.
1 person likes this
@RubyHawk (99405)
• Atlanta, Georgia
22 Jun 16
I use fresh or plain frozen vegetables and I use lemon pepper rather than salt.I cook them in a little water, add a touch of olive oil and serve. I don't use sauces or anything like that unless I'm cooking for company and sometimes not even then.
1 person likes this
@praveenkumar06 (4077)
• Hyderabad, India
28 Jun 16
Drinking more water keep u from away from dehydration and flush u all unwanted waste in time and u will be healthy n glowing skin ,
Best food is fish and lemon juice and pinch of salt on it n steam it u will enjoy it
1 person likes this
@KristenH (33386)
• Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio
28 Jun 16
Good supper idea. I would have to get some lemon juice.
@divalounger (6117)
• United States
23 Jun 16
I find that fresh limes improve the flavor of just about everything--I tend to use them instead of salt and over most all veggies--and in salads--I have to watch my sodium intake and so I eat very little processed foods--and that really helps--good luck--
1 person likes this
@Juliaacv (51193)
• Canada
21 Jun 16
You will have to make a conscious effort to start by cutting down on the salt shaker to start with. I choose to do that in my mid-20's, and it wasn't easy, but I've managed. Then once your taste buds adjust to that, you realize that seasoning with pepper and lemon can be very tasty, to the point where you might even forget that the salt is missing. I buy salt reduced bacon and I've really adopted this as my lifestyle, and I hope that you can also.
1 person likes this
@KristenH (33386)
• Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio
21 Jun 16
Great tips. I rarely use salt on my foods, since my mother went on the same diet, 3 years ago, I use Mrs. Dash sometimes. But she mentioned to watch foods like pizza which is hard. I do buy low salt products too. Not a big fan of lemon. But pepper, maybe.
@acelawrites (19272)
• Philippines
26 Jun 16
I am wondering why you are drinking only two glasses of water in a day? It should be eight glasses to eliminate wastes, as health experts say.
1 person likes this
@missjessicadawn (3286)
• United States
22 Jun 16
I am dreading the day I go in for a mammogram test. lol
1 person likes this
@responsiveme (22926)
• India
29 Jun 16
You should try using other seasonings , pepper, thyme, sage, lemon ....to balance the low sodium in your food.
Its not easy in the beginning but you get used to it. And bananas are good.
Garlic is also a natural blood thinner.
1 person likes this
@BACONSTRIPSXXX (14351)
• West Haven, Connecticut
27 Jun 16
Zucchnini is always a good green with lots of vitamins and eggplant too
@Dena91 (16636)
• United States
21 Jun 16
We eat baked fish and steamed broccoli at least once a week. We buy different fish, depending on whats on sale. If nothing and we have some frozen we'll use that. Last week was cod. If you aren't into fish maybe some baked chicken. We usually buy the skinless boneless and bake it. Neither of us are big into fried foods. With the vegetables you could mix cauliflower with broccoli. Add carrots too or steam them separately. We've been eating a lot of greens from our garden, maybe you could cook some spinach. If you have a local farmers market close by check them out. What's in right now besides greens would be squash and corn. Hope that helps. Have a blessed day
1 person likes this
@KristenH (33386)
• Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio
21 Jun 16
Thanks Dena. I do love fish and chicken. I do have leftover boneless and skinless chicken. I'm not partial to cauliflower. But I could do the others next week or so. As for farmer's market, there's one nearby. But I usually buy foods at Aldi or Giant Eagle--sometimes Acme. Greens are good.
1 person likes this
@theBlock (2657)
• United States
21 Jun 16
@KristenH
Hey, you're not too far from your normal weight---that's pretty good. I'm sending you good vibes, so you can pass your tests, sister! Hey, I'm steaming beans right now---when they're done, I'll smash 'em, slap some onions amongst them, and add some spices. Then come the tortillas, baby!
1 person likes this
