Quick Fix: Cut Sodium and Stretch a Buck!

By , SparkPeople Blogger
Here's a tip for all of you who are watching your sodium. With minimal effort, you can boost nutrients and slim down your comfort foods!

Canned pasta sauce, sloppy joe mix and chilis are fantastic time savers. However, they're often high in sugar and salt. Cut the sweet (or salty) taste by adding a can of no-salt added tomatoes. The rest of the sauce will flavor the tomatoes, and you can add an additional serving of vegetables to your meal. (This is also a great help when the kids unexpectedly bring home a couple of friends.)

Add a can of diced tomatoes to your pasta sauce, sloppy joes, chili, tomato soup, etc. Cut the sodium by at least 200 milligrams!

I often make my own tomato sauce because I find that most prepackaged food is too salty. So when I buy jarred sauce from the supermarket for a quick pizza or spaghetti dinner, I stretch it with a can of tomatoes. (This tip is especially handy when I'm making lasagna or another big pasta dish.)

We also mix pureed tomatoes with our barbecue sauce and add cans of tomatoes (pureed or diced) to tomato and vegetable soup and canned chili! You can't tell the difference.

Have you ever been a little heavy-handed with the chili powder or hot peppers when making chili or bought a salsa that's just too spicy? I have! That canned tomato trick can save your fiery dishes.

How do you cut the salt in your meals? Do you have any tips for stretching food without sacrificing taste?

Photo of the tomatoes I got last weekend at the farmers market!