REDUCE SODIUM TO IMPROVE HEALTH

As health experts fight among themselves about how much sodium is safe to eat, the reality is that most of us can get by on far less salt (our biggest source of sodium). In fact, much of the salt in restaurant meals and packaged foods is overkill, just excess salt used to pander our palates in the simplest way. But gradually shaving off a little salt here and a little salt there is critical to good health, not just as a way to lower blood pressure but to keep the heart, kidneys, and bones healthy. It’s also a way to let other flavors shine through in foods and open your palate to a whole new world of flavor. 
 

Our bodies need sodium to help maintain water and mineral balances and blood volume. But too much of a good thing (sodium in this case) can have negative effects on your health, such as an increased risk for high blood pressure (which contributes to heart disease and stroke). While most of us get enough sodium each day to meet our bodies' needs (about 1,500 milligrams), the average person consumes way too much! Experts recommend that adults consume less than 2,300 milligrams of sodium daily—that's about 1 teaspoon of salt.

Sodium is a mineral that occurs naturally in foods that you eat every day, including meats, nuts, grains, and dairy. Salt and sodium are not the same things—but salt is made from sodium (and chloride). What you might not realize, however, is that “hidden” sodium found in processed foods (in the form of salt) makes up the largest proportion of the sodium that adults consume (in addition to any salt that you add yourself).

Cutting back on sodium is one action you can take to reduce your risk of high blood pressure and its related complications. Keep in mind that your taste buds are probably accustomed to a strong taste of salt, so limiting your consumption might take a little getting used to, but your health is worth it! Here are some sodium-cutting tips you can try today:

• Introduce additional flavor to your foods with herbs and spices like garlic, oregano, basil, pepper, thyme and sesame. These all add flavor without the extra sodium. If a recipe calls for salt, cut the amount called for in half and taste it before adding more. 
• Make healthy choices at the grocery store. Processed foods (anything in a box or bag) tend to be high in sodium because it helps preserve foods longer and increase flavor. Always read labels for the foods you buy, including the sodium content on the nutrition facts label and the ingredients list. 
• Remember that "low-fat" or "low-calorie" doesn't mean healthy. These diet foods can also be higher in sodium because manufacturers hope that added sodium, a flavor-enhancer, will bring back the flavor that is missing since fat and other higher-calorie ingredients are removed. This is especially true for frozen dinners, which are often loaded with extra salt. 
• Choose low-, no- or reduced-sodium versions of your favorite soups, frozen meals, canned foods, and snacks. Even butter is available without added salt! 
• Choose fresh or frozen veggies over canned varieties, which often contain added salt to help increase shelf life. If you can't find sodium-free varieties of canned vegetables, rinse the can's contents in a colander under water before cooking to remove excess salt. 
• Olives, pickles and other items packed in brine are saturated in salt, as are many smoked and cured meats, like salami and bologna. Limit your intake of these high-sodium foods and be on the lookout for lower-sodium varieties. 
• Fast foods are high in more things than just fat. Many of these meals, sandwiches and fries contain more than your daily recommended intake of sodium in just one serving. When consulting restaurant websites to make healthy choices, pay attention to sodium levels as well. By keeping your portions in check (order a junior burger or small French fry instead of the big burgers and super fries) will help control your sodium (and caloric) intake. 

The chart below lists common salty foods. Notice how quickly sodium can add up with just a few foods!

Food	Portion	Sodium
Baking soda	1 tsp	1,259 mg
Mini pretzels	10 minis	1,029 mg
Soy sauce	1 Tbsp	902 mg
Frozen pepperoni pizza	1 serving	902 mg
Dill pickle	1 medium	883 mg
Frozen chicken pot pie	1 serving	857 mg
Shredded cheddar cheese	1 cup	702 mg
Baking powder	1 tsp	488 mg
Hamburger	1 sandwich	474 mg
Sauerkraut	1/2 cup	469 mg
Canned peas	1 cup	428 mg
Ham	1 slice	373 mg
Biscuit	1 whole	304 mg
Bacon	1 slice	303 mg
Salted mixed nuts	1/4 cup	205 mg
Ketchup	1 Tbsp	190 mg
Hard salami	1 slice	186 mg
White bread	1 slice	170 mg
Mustard	1 Tbsp	168 mg
Potato chips	1 ounce	168 mg
Saltine crackers	5 crackers	161 mg
Tortilla chips	1 ounce	150 mg
Italian salad dressing	1 Tbsp	116 mg
Salted butter	1 Tbsp	82 mg