A sodium or salt-restricted diet may be recommended by your health care provider for a variety of health reasons. Cutting sodium from your diet may be difficult because it is added to so many processed and prepared foods. Sodium is also found naturally in many foods and a commonly used ingredient to enhance taste in many dishes. There is no doubt that sodium is everywhere. Being aware of what foods provide low sodium or high sodium is the best way to control your sodium intake.
Sodium
Your body needs sodium to function properly. In the body, sodium is responsible for maintaining fluid balance and the contraction and relaxation of muscles. The MayoClinic.com notes that the main sources of sodium in the U.S. diet are from processed foods. Many people do not know they're consuming too much sodium and it can lead to serious health problems.
Diet Significance
A sodium-restricted diet is typically recommended by a health care provider to prevent excess fluid retention. Physicians may also recommend this particular diet to manage blood pressure and reduce the risk for stroke, chronic kidney disease and liver disease, according to Saint Joseph Mercy Health System. Salt is present in many foods, and changing your diet may be difficult at first. Therefore, a registered dietitian should help you choose healthy food options that are naturally low in salt or prepared without it.
Acceptable Foods
A variety of fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables are considered low-sodium foods. When choosing canned or juice options, look for labels that read "low-sodium." Whole-grain and enriched cereals, breads, rice and pasta are also low-sodium food options that may be consumed in a sodium-restricted diet. Look for labels that also read "Sodium-free," "Very-low Sodium" or "Reduced Sodium." Dairy products such as milk, yogurt and cottage cheese are acceptable. However, processed cheese or cheese spreads may be higher in sodium and should be avoided. Meat, fish and poultry that are freshly cut rather than canned or processed are also acceptable low-sodium food options. Other low-sodium protein sources include eggs, dried beans, peas and unsalted nuts.
Foods to Limit
Most canned foods are typically high in sodium. This includes canned soups, vegetables, meats and sauces. Commercially processed meats such as bologna, salami, sausage and pepperoni also provide high amounts of sodium. Many packaged snack foods are prepared with high amounts of sodium. Popcorn, salted nuts, chips and crackers are some examples of high-sodium snacks. Condiments such as dressings, dips, relish, soy sauce and ketchup should also be limited because of their sodium content.
Considerations
The University of Michigan Hospitals and Health Center recommends for patients to aim for no more than 600 mg of sodium per meal and only 200 mg near bedtime for a 2000 mg sodium diet. When choosing a food product, aim for foods with less than 400 mg of sodium per serving. The best way to control sodium in your diet is to eliminate processed foods. This means preparing your foods fresh and not using additional salt in recipes. Adding various herbs and spices will add flavor to your favorite dishes without needing salt.
Member Comments