Managing diabetes means not only managing your carbohydrates, but also your sodium intake. The diabetic diet should consist of more fresh fruits and vegetables and fresh proteins or dry beans. Reducing your sodium intake can be a delicate balance of adding flavors where you eliminate salt. Salt substitutes are not always an ideal replacement, but might be an alternative.
Daily Sodium Intake for Diabetes
The 2010 USDA dietary guideline for sodium is 2,300 mg for healthy adults. The USDA recommends that diabetics reduce their sodium intake to 1,500 mg or less daily. Sodium does not come from table salt alone. Many prepared, frozen and convenience foods contain added sodium that can add up to much more than the daily recommended intake. Read the nutrition labels on all of the prepared foods you eat to monitor your total sodium intake each day.
Health Concerns
Sodium contributes to high blood pressure. Diabetes leaves you more susceptible to cardiovascular problems such as high blood pressure. Adding large amounts of sodium to your diet can intensify the problem and put you at higher risk of stroke or heart attack.
Salt Substitutes
Sodium-free salt substitutes are an alternative to traditional table salt, but one that should be used only with a doctor's approval. Salt substitutes that are free of sodium use potassium chloride instead of sodium chloride. Too much potassium can prove fatal to someone with kidney problems, which diabetics are more likely to have. If you are on blood pressure medication, potassium-containing substitutes can pose more serious health risks by intensifying the effect of your blood pressure medication.
Alternatives
Eating a low-salt diet does not mean you have to sacrifice flavor. Spices and herbs such as garlic, basil, oregano, cilantro and rosemary can contribute fresh, bright flavors without adding sodium. Salt-free blends are another alternative to replace the salt shaker on the table, if you are looking for a shaker to satisfy a routine. Homemade marinades for your proteins can provide deep flavors without adding salt.
