Your doctor may have advised you to adhere to a low-sodium diet for a variety of reasons, such as hypertension or impaired renal function. Regardless of why you are trying to reduce your sodium intake, you may find yourself puzzled when shopping for low-sodium foods. Knowing which foods are likely to be high in sodium empowers you to avoid them and choose lower-sodium options. You can gain this knowledge by carefully reading food labels.
Step 1
Avoid canned and frozen meals. These meals are commonly preserved with high amounts of sodium. Even reduced sodium meals, such as some varieties of soup, tend to be high in sodium when compared to fresh foods.
Step 2
Shop for fresh fruits and vegetables, which are healthy options and naturally low in sodium.
Step 3
Purchase fresh meats and avoid deli meats, such as hot dogs and salami, which are high in sodium.
Step 4
Read the nutrition labels on cheeses, which are sometimes high in sodium. A low-sodium food contains 35 mg or less per serving.
Step 5
Buy unsalted butter. While you may prefer salted butter, it contains 95 mg per tablespoon according to "Contemporary Nutrition," as opposed to no sodium in the unsalted variety.
Step 6
Read food labels on any item you purchase if you are not familiar with its specific sodium content, even if, on the package, it claims to be a low-sodium or reduced-sodium food. These foods may still have too much sodium to fit into your diet.
Tips and Warnings
- Consult a dietitian if you are struggling to adhere to a low-sodium diet.
References
- "Contemporary Nutrition"; Gordon M. Wardlaw and Anne M Smith; 2007
- "Foundations of Nursing"; Lois White, Gena Duncan and Wendy Baumle; 2010
- "Basic Nutrition and Diet Therapy"; Staci Nix; 2005
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