A low-sodium diet, often referred to as a low-salt diet, is a dietary approach that restricts the intake of sodium, a mineral commonly found in salt (sodium chloride). This supports overall health and specific medical conditions, including hypertension, kidney disease, liver disease, and edema.
Key points:
Sodium and Health: High sodium intake can contribute to high blood pressure (hypertension), which is a significant risk factor for heart disease and stroke.
Dietary Sources of Sodium: Common sources include canned soups, fast food, frozen meals, processed meats, snacks, and restaurant dishes. Even foods that don’t taste salty can be high in sodium.
Recommended Daily Allowance: The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend limiting sodium intake to less than 2300 milligrams (mg) per day for adults, or 150 0mg per day for people with hypertension or other risk factors.
Low-Sodium Diet Goals: A low-sodium diet aims to reduce sodium intake by minimizing or eliminating high-sodium foods and incorporating more whole, unprocessed foods into the diet.
Reading Labels: Read food labels and be aware of sodium content in packaged foods. Look for foods labeled as “low-sodium,” “no-salt-added,” or “sodium-free”. Be aware of serving sizes.
Reduce Salt Use: Reduce the use of table salt (sodium chloride). Instead of salt, consider using herbs, spices, lemon juice, vinegar, and other seasonings.
Eating Out: When dining out, request that your meal be prepared with less salt.
Vegetables: fresh and frozen vegetables without sauces, potatoes, low-sodium canned vegetables, sauces, and juices.
Fruits: most fresh/frozen/canned fruit, dried fruits.
Proteins: most fresh or frozen meat (beef, lamb, pork, poultry), fish, eggs, low-sodium peanut butter, dry peas and beans (not canned), low-sodium canned meats and fish.
Dairy: milk, yogurt, ice cream, ice milk, low-sodium cheeses.
Grains etc…: unsalted breads (loafs, bagels, rolls, muffins), most ready-to-eat cereals all rice and pasta (but do not add salt when cooking), low-sodium tortillas, low-sodium noodles, low-sodium or unsalted snacks (popcorn, chips, pretzels, crackers, breadsticks).
Soups: low-sodium canned and dehydrated soups (also broth, bouillon), homemade soups without added salt.
Condiments: vinegar, unsalted butter or margarine, vegetable oils, low sodium sauces and salad dressings, mayonnaise.
Sweets: desserts made without salt.
Vegetables: regular canned vegetables and canned vegetable juices, olives, pickles, sauerkraut, pickled vegetables, packaged mixes (such as potatoes, hash browns, tater tots), commercially-prepared sauces and salsas
Proteins: smoked/cured/salted/canned meat/poultry/fish, bacon, cold cuts, ham, frankfurters, sausage, sardines, caviar, anchovies, frozen breaded meats and dinners (such as burritos and pizza), canned entrees (such as ravioli, spam, chili), nuts with salt, beans with salt.
Dairy: buttermilk, regular and processed cheese (including spreads and sauces), cottage cheese.
Grains etc.: bread and rolls with salted tops, quick breads, self-rising flour, biscuit, pancake and waffle mixes, pizza, croutons, salted crackers, prepackaged processed mixes (for potatoes, rice, pasta, stuffing).
Soups: regular canned and dehydrated soup (including broth and bouillon), cup of noodles, seasoned ramen mixes.
Condiments: soy sauce, seasoning salt, many sauces and marinades, many bottled salad dressings, bacon bits, salted butter and margarine, large portions of ketchup and mustard.
Desserts: instant pudding and cake.