Some evidence suggests a daily sodium restriction to 1,500mg, or 1.5g, may benefit patients with cardiovascular risks including hypertension, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Your doctor may recommend that you consume no more than 2,000mg of sodium per day to help control hypertension. A low-sodium diet means more than just eliminating added salt to foods, as 1 tsp. of salt is equal to 2,300mg of sodium.
Benefits
According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, recent studies show that blood pressure can be lowered by eating less salt, one form of sodium. Sodium is a mineral found in many foods that helps keep fluids balanced in the body. Following a low-sodium diet helps control hypertension, swelling and edema. Sodium can dramatically increase blood pressure in people who are sensitive to its effects.
Recommended Foods
Choose protein foods, such as fresh or frozen fish, shellfish, meat, eggs or poultry. Cooked dried beans are also a low-sodium source of protein. Choose low-sodium versions of cheeses, canned salmon and tuna. Vegetables and fruits are typically low in sodium. Choose fresh, whole, chopped, cooked, frozen or canned fruit. For vegetables, choose chopped, cooked, frozen or no-salt added canned vegetables. Tomato juice is higher in sodium so limit it to 1 cup of low-sodium tomato juice or mixed vegetable juice a day. When selecting grains, choose low-sodium breads, rolls, bagels, cereals and crackers.
Foods to Avoid
Limit snack foods, including nuts, pretzels, chips, popcorn and other salty snacks. Limited condiments, as they are high in sodium. This includes soups, salad dressings, ketchup, mustard, sauces, gravies, frozen dinners, pickles, seasoning mixes and other processed, canned or jarred foods. Low-sodium frozen dinners that provide less than 600mg sodium per meal are also available, but limit them to one per day. Also limit butter and margarine, as they contain sodium.
Reading Food Labels
Read food labels as some seemingly safe foods have high sodium, including baked goods, cereals, soy sauce, seasoned salts, monosodium glutamate and baking soda. Only a small amount of sodium occurs naturally in foods. Most sodium is added during processing. Sodium content is listed on the food labels based on serving size. Ignore the percent daily value and focus on the milligrams of sodium per serving. Low-sodium foods have 140mg or less sodium per serving and no-sodium foods less than 5mg per serving.
Tips to Reduce Sodium
Cut back on sodium in your diet by using sodium-free spices or flavorings with your food instead of adding salt to foods when cooking or at the table. Rinse canned foods, such as vegetables, to remove some of the sodium. Also, buy foods labeled "no salt added," "sodium-free," "low sodium" or "very low sodium." It may take several weeks for your taste buds to get used to eating less salty foods, so make gradual changes to your diet.
Member Comments