Sodium chloride, also know as table salt, is an important nutrient that your body needs to support many organ functions. Your body needs the proper balance of water and sodium for proper cell performance. Too little sodium intake is rarely a problem. Too much sodium intake is a more prevalent issue for Americans, and it can create serious health issues including hypertension and kidney problems.
Step 1
Throw away the salt shaker. The minimum daily dietary sodium requirement is 1,500 milligrams for adults. The maximum recommended level of sodium intake is 2,300 milligrams per day. The average American adult consumes between 2,900 and 4,300 milligrams of sodium daily. The minimum requirement is easily met with food as it is. Do not add salt to the food on your table or in your recipes.
Step 2
Read food labels. Sodium is an excellent preservative, and many packaged and canned foods have salt added to them. Look for reduced-sodium products or minimally processed foods at the grocery store.
Step 3
Ditch fast food. Besides a large amount of sodium in a typical fast food meal, these foods can contain saturated fats that also can contribute to heart disease. A regular hamburger at a popular fast-food restaurant can contain 510 milligrams of sodium; add a small fry and you get an additional 160 milligrams of sodium.
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