It is SCARY how much sodium is in restaurant prepared foods! I am on a low sodium diet due to a post partum heart problem, not for my blood pressure, and I have found that watching sodium intake when you enjoy dining out can be a nightmare!
Steamed veggies are definitely the way to go & salads are good if you moderate your dressings. I'm not a fish eater, but lean chicken & beef are favorites of mine. You really have to be careful of these because of the preservatives, but also whatever "rub" they put on them prior to & during cooking... Here's an example:
We went to the local steakhouse & I ordered the 6 oz sirloin (split it for take-home) & requested that they cook it plain, then the waitress asked:
"So, you don't want any salt & pepper mix? "
Me: "No thanks"
Waitress: "so you don't want any butter on it?"
Me: "umm, no thanks"
Waitress:"so you don't want any MSG (used as meat tenderizer)?"
Me: "oh, my...No thanks..."
I almost fell out of my chair, because I had no idea that there were that many things added to a "simple" grilled steak... So we all have to be vigilant, because sodium is fine, but it definitely has to be in moderation, because we are definitely getting much more than we realize, even if we are good label readers at home or do our homework online before we dine out...