List of High Salt Foods to Avoid

The Center for the Science in the Public Interest claims that salt rivals trans and saturated fats as a public health threat.The American Dietetic Association estimates that the average American consumes nearly nearly double the recommended 2,400mg of sodium, the primary component of salt, per day. Salt can be harmful because it contributes to high blood pressure, a risk factor for heart disease. Avoiding certain high salt foods can help control your sodium intake.

Canned Vegetables

Vegetables are generally healthy as they contain high levels of vitamins, minerals and fiber. Canned vegetables tend to be quite heavy in sodium. In fact, the MayoClinic.com reports that it's not the salt shaker, but the sodium found within processed foods like canned veggies, that form the bulk of U.S sodium intake. A single 1/2 cup of canned green beans contain 310 g of sodium, according to the University of Illinois. Thoroughly rinsing canned veggies with water before eating can remove some of the sodium. Instead of canned vegetables, choose fresh veggies, which are virtually sodium free.

French Fries

Fast food like french fries are heavy in salt. Adding sodium-rich table salt or ketchup to fries only compounds the problem. Mealographer.com reports that a Burger King king-sized container of french fries contains over 882 mg of sodium -- nearly half of your daily limit. To enjoy french fries with less salt, avoid adding salt or using ketchup. Also, making french fries at home allow you to control the salt that's added.

Frozen Dinners

Frozen dinners are some of the worst sodium offenders in the U.S food supply. MSNBC.com reports that frozen dinners that aren't specifically marketed as low sodium contain upwards of 1,800 mg of sodium. Also, veggie burgers, which tend to be lower in fat and calories than beef burgers, are high in sodium. Health.com reports that a single patty of a MorningStar Farms Chipotle Black Bean Burger has 700 mg of sodium.

When choosing a frozen dinner, opt for those that are labeled "heart healthy" or "low-sodium". Cooking meals at home allow you to keep dinnertime sodium levels in check.

References

• "USA Today": Salt intake brings new levels of alarm
• "UCONN": Link Between Sodium and Osteoporosis is Subject of New Study
• "Mayo Clinic": Sodium: How to tame your salt habit now
• "University of Illinois": Green Beans
• "Anne Collins": Sodium Content of French Fries
• "Health.com": 25 Surprisingly Salty Processed Foods