Diabetics typically don't have to follow a salt-restricting diet, though complications due to diabetes can change dietary recommendations. Generally, a healthy diet is the same for diabetics and nondiabetics: most of your meals should consist of whole-grain foods, vegetables and fruit. Protein and dairy items should be low in saturated and trans fats.
Function
Diabetics, like everyone else, should moderate their salt intake. Limit your daily sodium intake to less than 2,300 mg, or 1 teaspoon, as recommended by the Dietary Guidelines provided by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Middle-aged and older people, people with high blood pressure and blacks should lower their salt intake to 1,500 mg, according to the Dietary Guidelines.
Cardiovascular Problems
If you experience complications due to diabetes, you might need to limit your salt intake further. For example, diabetics face an increased risk of cardiovascular problems, including heart attack, stroke, narrowing of arteries and coronary-artery disease accompanied by chest pain, according to MayoClinic.com. If you have cardiovascular problems, talk to your doctor about how much you need to restrict your salt intake to maintain good health.
Kidney Damage
Diabetes also can damage your kidneys, which are necessary for filtering waste from your blood. The damage might lead to irreversible end-stage kidney disease or kidney failure. In extreme cases, you might need dialysis or a kidney transplant. Depending on the stage and type of the kidney damage, your doctor might tell you to restrict your salt intake, as well as your potassium, protein and phosphorus intake.
Considerations
Ask your doctor how much salt your diet should contain considering your type of diabetes, risk factors, body weight and age. Once you have an appropriate recommendation, read nutrition labels carefully to determine how much salt foods contain. Note that certain salt substitutes, such as potassium chloride, are generally safe for healthy individuals who need to lower their salt intake, but might not be safe for diabetics. The safest approach is to ask your doctor if you're unsure whether a salt substitute is healthy for you.
