How Much Salt Can You Eat On A Low Sodium Diet?

A low sodium diet sets a threshold of 1,500 mg sodium per day. This amount of sodium is equivalent to 2/3 tsp. of table salt. Most of the sodium consumed in the United States is processed into breads and foods so it is important to read the nutrition facts panel and do the math to be sure you do not go above the dietary threshold for a low sodium diet.

Dietary Guidelines

Following a low sodium diet means understanding the sodium threshold and being able to identify foods that are high and low in sodium as well as portion sizes. The Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension, or DASH diet, involves limiting sodium to 2,300 mg or 1,500 mg per day depending on your blood pressure level. People following the low sodium DASH plan use the 1,500 mg limit. This amount of sodium is enough to keep your body functioning well, without excess.

Sodium Content of Salt

The sodium content varies from one type of salt to another. Table salt is almost pure sodium chloride whereas commercial sea salts are approximately 98 percent sodium chloride and 2 percent trace mineral. However, an equivalent weight of sea salt can have more or less sodium than table salt: the difference has to do with the variety of minerals deposited on the ocean floor across millions of years. Salt substitutes use potassium chloride instead of sodium chloride.

Dietary Sources of Sodium

Very little sodium occurs naturally in food, with the majority of sodium added during processing for flavor and as a preservative. In fact, yeast breads are the number one source of sodium in the United States. Canned tomatoes and vegetables, soups, processed meats, instant meals and frozen foods can also be high in sodium. People following a low sodium diet should choose products that are labeled as low sodium or no salt added.

Considerations

Sodium is an essential mineral for health and a low sodium diet provides for enough sodium to keep your body functioning properly. The most important tactics you can employ to follow a low sodium diet are to know the guidelines, read nutrition labels and ingredient lists and choose products that are low or very low in sodium or have no salt added.