Following a healthy, low sodium diet may reduce your risk for heart disease, lower your blood pressure and prevent or aid in managing other health concerns such as kidney disease. While sodium, or salt, is necessary for to the body, your body requires only a small amount, approximately 1/4 teaspoon per day, according to the University of California Medical Center. Work with your physician or nutritionist to develop a healthy, low sodium diet to suit your needs.
Identification
A low sodium diet is defined as a diet that limits sodium intake to between 2000 and 3000 mg of sodium per day, according to the Heart Failure Society of America (HFSA), a Minnesota based, non-profit organization of health care professionals. A single teaspoon of salt equals approximately 2300 mg of sodium. To maintain a low sodium diet, your salt intake may equal little more than a teaspoon of salt per day. The HFSA advises those at high risk for heart failure to limit their intake to no more than 2000 mg per day.
Features
A low sodium diet includes high volumes of fresh fruits and vegetables, dried beans cooked without the use of salt, whole grain foods such as pasta and brown rice, and unsalted butters or margarines. Absent from the diet are canned and processed foods high in sodium, such as canned vegetables and pre-packaged foods such as boxed au gratin potatoes or flavored rice mixes. Salted foods such as tortilla chips and potato chips, bottled salad dressings and processed cheese are also high in sodium and should be avoided.
Function
Following a healthy, low sodium diet reduces the risk of high blood pressure or hypertension, a condition associated with heart and kidney disease. Though a direct relationship between salt intake and high blood pressure is not a given, the Cleveland Clinic subscribes to evidence that suggests a low sodium diet may prove beneficial for those at risk for hypertension and heart disease, as well as a preventative measure against risk.
Benefits
Medical doctor Norman M. Kaplan and registered dietician Barbara Olendzki, authors of the article "Patient Information: Low Sodium Diet," say a low sodium diet may increase the effectiveness of medications for high blood pressure and weight loss programs, reduce the risk of kidney stones and of developing osteoporosis. Low sodium diet also may reduce the risk of heart disease.
Considerations
To track your daily salt intake, read the labels of all packaged foods. On the nutritional label, the serving size is listed and the amount of salt, usually in mg, listed reflects the amount in the indicated serving. For example, if the serving size is 1/2 cup and the amount of sodium on the label reads 500 mg, a 1/2 cup serving contains 500 mg of salt. On a low sodium diet, 500 mg equals approximately 1/4 of your suggested daily sodium intake.
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