Most of us have heard that it's a good idea to cut down on sodium, but besides making sure the top to the salt shaker is screwed on properly, what does that really mean? Well, first, realize that salt is an essential mineral that our body can't function without. Current dietary guidelines for Americans recommend that adults in general should consume no more than 2,300 mg of sodium per day (1500 if you have high blood pressure, are African American, or are over age 51.)
If 2300 mg sounds like a lot, it is. There's an estimated 189 mg of sodium in one of those little salt packages you get at McDonald's. So if you downed a dozen of them, you'd still be within your daily sodium intakeóassuming you didn't eat anything else all day, which you probably wouldn't, because you'd be too busy trying to drain your swimming pool with a flexi-straw.
But a dozen little sodium packages is nothing when you consider what you're getting from these foods.
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SALTIEST FOOD
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Chili's Boneless Buffalo Chicken Salad)
Calories
1,020
Fat
67 g
Saturated Fat
14 g
Sodium
3,730
Chili's Caribbean Salad with Grilled Chicken
Calories
680
Fat
27 g
Saturated Fat
4.5 g
Sodium
1,150
That's the equivalent of over 18 salt packets.
And you thought you were doing the right thing ordering the salad. But remember, "salad" is just a word that means "a mixture of foods." Nobody said they were good foods.6254a4d1642c605c54bf1cab17d50f1e
9
SALTIEST FOOD
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TGI Friday's Jack Daniel's Ribs & Shrimp (w/o sides)
Calories
1730
Fat
74 g
Saturated fat
22 g
Sodium
4140 mg
TGI Friday's Jack Daniel's Petite Sirloin with Crispy Shrimp
Calories
640
Fat
20 g
Saturated fat
9.5 g
Sodium
2110 mg
That's the equivalent of over 20 salt packets.
4140 mg sodium, if you dare to have fries with that you'll be tacking on another 980 mg of sodium.
8
SALTIEST FOOD
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Cheesecake Factory Sunrise Fiesta Burrito
Calories
1,720
Saturated fat
37 g
Sodium
4600 mg
Cheesecake Factory Plain Omelette
Calories
490
Saturated fat
10 g
Sodium
730 mg
That's the equivalent of 23 salt packets.
With 4600 mg sodium, this breakfast burrito packs almost twice the daily recommended sodium allowance. If you like to start your day off bloated, this is the burrito for you. Already made the mistake of indulging in this one? Get back to feeling like your un-puffy self with our Ultimate One Day Detox.
7
SALTIEST FOOD
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Chili's Chicken Crispers – Honey Chipotle Style
Calories
1,750
Fat
81 g
Saturated fat
14 g
Sodium
4910 mg
Chili's Lighter Choice Margarita Grilled Chicken
Calories
610
Fat
16 g
Saturated fat
3 g
Sodium
2450 mg
That's the equivalent of over 24 salt packets.
With 4910 mg sodium, coupled with its 81 grams of fat, you're basically eating your cardiologist's heart out.
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SALTIEST FOOD
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Applebee's Sizzling Skillet Shrimp Fajita
Calories
1,170
Fat
45 g
Saturated fat
21 g
Sodium
5140 mg
Bourbon Street Chicken & Shrimp
Calories
610
Fat
27 g
Saturated fat
7 g
Sodium
1960 mg
That's the equivalent of over 25 salt packets.
5140 mg sodium! How Applebees managed to turn shrimp and sauteed vegetables into one of the saltiest foods in America may be the 8th wonder of the world.
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SALTIEST FOOD
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Chili's Texas Cheese Fries – Full Order
Calories
1,720
Fat
119 g
Saturated fat
49 g
Sodium
5310 mg
Classic Nachos – Regular
Calories
830
Fat
57 g
Saturated fat
30 g
Sodium
2010 mg
That's the equivalent of over 26 salt packets.
A full order has 5310 mg sodium and 119 grams of fat. Stretchy pants, anyone?
On the Border Firecracker Stuffed Jalapeños w/ Salsa Ranch
Calories
1,900
Fat
138 g
Saturated Fat
35 g
Sodium
5,760 mg
On the Border Grilled Chicken Fajita Taco with Cilantro Lime Rice
Calories
340
Fat
6.5 g
Saturated Fat
5 g
Sodium
990
That's the equivalent of over 28 salt packets.
Jalapeños can boost your metabolism, but they'll be fighting an uphill battle against all those calories, fat, and sodium. Ditch the rest of the order and add jalapeños to another option.
3
SALTIEST FOOD
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Singapore Street Noodles
Calories
920
Fat
21 g
Saturated Fat
3.5 g
Sodium
2750 mg
Dan Dan Noodles
Calories
800
Fat
22 g
Saturated Fat
5 g
Sodium
6,120 mg
That's the equivalent of over 30 salt packets.
At an artery-shaking 6,120 mg sodium, asking for the low sodium soy sauce won't make a dent in your monster salt intake.
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SALTIEST FOOD
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Applebee's Grilled Chicken Wonton Tacos
Calories
540
Fat
21 g
Saturated Fat
4 g
Sodium
1,750
Applebee's Appetizer Sampler
Calories
2,210
Fat
137 g
Saturated Fat
45 g
Sodium
6,260
That's the equivalent of over 31 salt packets.
6260 milligrams of hypertension for you. Instead of ordering so many apps, have a healthy snack before you go to the restaurant. And if you can't resist reaching for the chips, choose one of the Eat This, Not That!-approved 10 Best Junk Foods for Weight Loss.
1
SALTIEST FOOD
PF Chang's Chicken Noodle Soup Bowl
Calories
620
Fat
22 g
Saturated Fat
3.5 g
Sodium
2,720
PF Chang's Hot & Sour Soup Bowl
Calories
380
Fat
11 g
Saturated Fat
3 g
Sodium
7,980 mg
That's the equivalent of over 39 salt packets!
Yes, congratulations. If you eat this, you'll have slurped down the sodium equivalent of 44 individual bags of Doritos Cool Ranch Tortilla Chips. After dining on this disaster, you're going to need these 8 Foods That Beat Bloat.
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