Salt in moderation
Sodium is a vital mineral when it comes to body function, but too much of it can cause health problems. A doctor may advise a low sodium diet for numerous reasons, but the most common reasons for restricting sodium include high blood pressure and fluid retention. Fortunately, low sodium diets do not require eating special foods or supplements--they simply limit sodium intake. While following a low sodium diet may at first feel complicated, many get the hang of it quickly once they learn what sodium measurements mean and interpret them on food labels.
Sodium Content on Food Labels
A low sodium diet consists of no more than 2,000 milligrams (2 grams) of sodium per day. Food labels always list sodium amounts for one serving in milligrams, typically right below the listings for fat and cholesterol. When patients do not have time to manually track their sodium intake when reading food labels, they can use this as a guide: low-sodium is characterized as a sodium amount of 140 mg or less, while "no sodium" is 5 mg or less. Try to avoid foods with sodium amounts more than 140 mg.
Making Good Food Choices
While a low sodium diet is not as restrictive as one may think, following such a diet requires exercising a bit of common sense when it comes to food choices. For example, certain baked goods such as types of croissants and muffins are considered low sodium, but this doesn't mean they should become daily diet staples. In general, low sodium foods are fresh and whole, not packaged. If they are packaged, they should be eaten in great moderation, especially if they fall above the 140 mg cut-off. Some foods to avoid include cured meats such as bacon and ham, most frozen dinners, hot dogs, most canned soups and bagged snacks such as potato chips. When eating out, take a look at the dining-out guide at www.lowsaltfoods.com to make better choices.
Sodium Substitutes
Many salt substitutes are available for those who aren't quite ready to give up regular table salt, and salt substitutes can be used in certain diet foods. However, they can present problems for certain patients because salt substitutes tend to replace sodium with potassium. Consult a doctor to make sure this increased potassium will not interfere with any medications or worsen any existing medical conditions.
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