Kitchen

[luvdoodles]

I enjoy eating out on occasion but lately I have notice so much salt in the entrees. It could be because I have cut way back on salt in my cooking. Some places will note the fat calories but not the sodium which is a big issue for some people like my husband. I would like to be able to ask, hold the salt and use the salt shaker as needed. Maybe it's just me.

[fthunt]

I kicked salt years ago and am now sensitive to the overdose in prepared foods. Give me pepper and garlic any day!

[Midnight11]

I have noticed this too, especially soups! I don't use much.

[chessylady]

It's not just you. Any time you eat out, you will be receiving an excess of salt and butter/oil. They do it to add flavor. The same with processed foods except you can check the sodium content on the container.

[goodstuff]

I'd suggest you stick with simple, fresh restaurant entrees that are prepared on the spot without pre-made sauces, etc., and tell the waiter when you order that you're on a low-salt diet and want little or no salt in your food. You'll probably have better luck with local establishments rather than chain eateries that use a lot of frozen/premade products. The chef should be able to comply, and then you can add (or not add) salt to your taste and desires.

[Vamp]

On 1/6/2014 GoodStuff said:

I'd suggest you stick with simple, fresh restaurant entrees that are prepared on the spot without pre-made sauces, etc., and tell the waiter when you order that you're on a low-salt diet and want little or no salt in your food. You'll probably have better luck with local establishments rather than chain eateries that use a lot of frozen/premade products. The chef should be able to comply, and then you can add (or not add) salt to your taste and desires.

Great advice

[goodstuff]

I'm always irked by people who condemn restaurant eating across the board. There are many kinds of restaurants and a huge trend nowadays towards locally grown/sourced, healthy entrees and ingredients. If healthy, fresh, even organic food is what you want, you can almost certainly find food establishments that can provide it! The fat/sodium festival at Captain D's, Olive Garden, Red Lobster and many other chains is NOT your only choice.

[Mistreatedbycs]

On 1/6/2014 GoodStuff said:

I'm always irked by people who condemn restaurant eating across the board. There are many kinds of restaurants and a huge trend nowadays towards locally grown/sourced, healthy entrees and ingredients. If healthy, fresh, even organic food is what you want, you can almost certainly find food establishments that can provide it! The fat/sodium festival at Captain D's, Olive Garden, Red Lobster and many other chains is NOT your only choice.

Are you having a bad day?

The OP stated she eats out "occasionally" and never mentioned anything that she only eats out at "chains".

The truly believe what is "salty" is in each ones' own taste buds. I cook for my mom and last week she said "wow, why are these beans so salty" and then the other night she said "don't you use salt and pepper". Yes, you can't "win" but the point is I thought everything was fine but apparently she didn't.

I do agree though if you are going to a freshly prepared food restaurant, the amount of salt can be controlled just by a simple request.

[AZ Diamondback Mom]

Glad to see others seeing changes in salt use. Hubby and I were out and stopped by a "fast food" restaurant Boston Market and have noticed some of their items have changed in taste also they moved the salt and pepper off the tables over by the extra napkins and stuff. Yes we use less having it that way and enjoyed it. We have dear,dear friends when we go out to dinner hubby and I are ordering items with less salt and we notice they do not even taste the food and they add salt. I have learned over the years that when we do a potluck with that couple to not worry when the first thing they do is add salt.

[Nightowlz]

On 1/6/2014 GoodStuff said:

I'm always irked by people who condemn restaurant eating across the board. There are many kinds of restaurants and a huge trend nowadays towards locally grown/sourced, healthy entrees and ingredients. If healthy, fresh, even organic food is what you want, you can almost certainly find food establishments that can provide it! The fat/sodium festival at Captain D's, Olive Garden, Red Lobster and many other chains is NOT your only choice.

Not where I live. I cook the majority of our meals at home. They don't sell a whole lot of organic around here either. I buy what I can from local famers, like eggs, butter, yogurt, some grass fed beef. There is no organic fruit or veggies around here except what we grow in the garden.