Sherri, thanks for your response--and funny you mention soup. Again, I thought I was already so clever about avoiding high sodium foods (I more or less eat the way you do)--and then my wife forgot to add salt when preparing her chicken soup. Believe me, I could tell the difference! Which was depressing, as I realized how much salt must normally be there. For flavor, by the way, try cooking with garlic powder, chili powder, or black pepper, or even cumin or curry powder. True, these give very different flavors, but I'm getting used to them (I've tried to convince the kids that we're trying out "Indonesian" cuisine, but they were not impressed).javascript:void(0); But, so that others don't have to suffer along with us, putting salt on the table is indeed a good idea.
I know what you mean about the all-"low" diet. I've been on a fairly strict low-fat regimen for over five years, and have been managing pretty well. But adding low-sodium to that is a grim business. Finding things that are low-sodium and low-fat, and low-calorie is a pain. As it is, I eat lots of eggplant and tofu, etc., and very little meat of any sort. A lot of the "low-hanging" salt/fat/calories are already missing from my diet. That leaves exercise and stress reduction. I'm trying to walk more, but stress is a little trickier, particularly while jumping over various medical, administrative, and scheduling hurdles on the way to donating.
To close on a happier note, I am pleased to report that my family doctor seemed happy enough with my blood pressure today.
Be well, Snoopy