Americans want to travel more, spend less over 4th of July; Tips for cutting back on salt

Americans want to travel more, spend less

FRUGAL FIREWORKS: More Americans are planning vacations away from home this Fourth of July weekend, even as summer travelers plan to stick to tight budgets, according to two recent surveys.

Auto club AAA forecast that about 34.9 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles from home over Independence Day weekend, up from 29.8 million during the 2009 holiday.

But fewer people are traveling compared to the more carefree times before the financial crisis. This year’s projection is still 7.7 percent below 2008 Independence Day travel levels, and 17.5 percent below the number of travelers during the July Fourth weekend in 2007.

Even as more travelers hit the road on Fourth of July weekend, AAA expects that vacationers will spend less: $644, on median, down from $693 in 2009. It expects lower spending even though hotel rates, airfare and car rental prices are expected to rise.

That’s because more budget-conscious travelers are once again planning vacations, said AAA spokesman Troy Green. During the downturn, they were more likely than luxury travelers to stay home.

More crowds and lower spending are likely going to be the theme of the summer, according to a survey from insurer Mondial Assistance. It found that 40 percent of Americans said they planned to take a vacation this summer, up from 35 percent who said they took a vacation last summer. The most popular destinations were oceans and beaches or, for road-trippers, just hitting the highway.

But the survey also found that vacationers plan to spend even less than they did in 2009.

The survey, taken from June 3-7, said average spending plans were $1,653 per household, down from reported spending of $1,730 in 2009.

Of course, planning to spend less does not necessarily mean vacationers will spend less.

The Mondial poll surveyed 1,000 randomly selected U.S. adults over telephone. It had a margin of error of 3.1 percentage points.

The AAA forecast is based on research from financial analysis firm IHS Global Insight.

SHORT CUT SALT: If you’re looking to remove some salt in your diet, take a sharp look at your daily lunch.

More than 90 percent of U.S. adults eat more salt than they should, according to a recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Most of that sodium comes from the processed grains and meats present in many lunches.

The CDC said common foods that might not even taste salty were big sodium culprits. It cited breads, pizza and cookies. Deli meats such as turkey and ham, common in sandwiches, were also big sources of salt.

Dietary guidelines say adults should consume only 2,300 milligrams, or a teaspoon of salt, each day. U.S. adults are taking in about 50 percent more salt than they should, on average, according to the CDC’s report.

Eating too much sodium can lead to higher blood pressure, which is a major risk factor for heart disease and strokes.

To cut the amount of salt you eat, the American Heart Association and health insurer Cigna Corp. recommend:

—Ask for low-sodium cheeses and deli meats in sandwiches. If you pack your own lunch, you can examine the labels for low levels of sodium in your sandwich ingredients.

—If you are eating out, ask the waiter to leave the salt out of your dish.

—Avoid the condiments and salty sides that often accompany lunches bought at delis and fast-food chains: the ketchup and pickles that go on the sandwich, and the chips, fries and pretzels that come on the side.

—Sub oil and vinegar or lemon juice for salad dressing.

—Commercially-prepared soups are one of the biggest sources of sodium. Ask for a salad as an appetizer instead, or seek out low-sodium canned brands.