Most medical professionals recommend a diet low in salt. Too much salt can trigger high blood pressure and heart complications. It can also lead to kidney stones and problems with liver function. Protein is an essential part of a normal diet. However, your doctor may suggest a low-protein diet if you have a kidney disease or other health problems. In any case, consult your doctor before making a big change to your diet.
Low Processed Food Diet
Prepared foods, such as canned, baked and processed goods, often have high salt content. According to MayoClinic.com, the majority of sodium in an average person's diet comes from these foods. The sodium is usually present as salt. Try cutting back on the amount of prepared foods you eat. For example, instead of chicken nuggets, try diced chicken breast. Instead of canned soup from the store, try and make your own soup from fresh vegetables and stock. Although avoiding packaged goods can require more effort, it's one of the best ways to lower your salt intake.
Ultral-Low Sodium Diet
Adults should not exceed 2,300 mg of sodium per day. If you have high blood pressure or other health issues, this figure is lowered to 1,500 mg. Your doctor may recommend even lower salt levels. In this case, you should start by avoiding all processed foods such as frozen TV dinners. Move on to removing most salty foods from your diet. Nutritionist Kathleen M. Stadler from the Virginia Cooperative Extension suggests you stop adding salt while cooking. Instead of salt, use spices and herbs for flavoring. Buy low-sodium salt instead of standard table salt. The goal is to train yourself to enjoy the taste of food that isn't salted.
Low Protein Diet
Protein raises calcium and uric acid levels, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. In excessive amounts, this can affect the kidney and liver disease. Too much protein can also lead to kidney stones. The first food to cut back on is red meat. This is very high in protein. It also has more sulfur than other types of protein, which makes it more acidic. Aim to at least reduce portion sizes. A single portion of meat should be no larger than a deck of cards. Also avoid large amounts of milk, cheese, eggs and beans, all of which are high protein foods. MayoClinic.com suggests opting for fresh vegetables, fruit, pasta, bread and cereal instead of high-protein choices.
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