How to Reduce Your Dietary Sodium Intake

Most of our sodium comes from processed and prepared food rather than from using salt shakers directly, so learn ways to limit these products and make healthier decisions.

Consider choosing fresh or frozen meats that have not been injected with sodium solutions, drain and rinse canned beans before selecting low-sodium varieties – this can reduce sodium by one third!

Where Excess Salt Hides

Salt can come from many different sources in your diet, with most Americans eating far too much salt overall. That includes table salt added with the shaker but also packaged, prepared, and restaurant foods; The FDA is working to help Americans cut back by working with food manufacturers to gradually lower sodium levels in products. Selecting more whole foods instead of processed products while reading Nutrition Facts labels (different brands of the same food may have differing sodium contents) may help make reducing sodium consumption easier.

Nearly 70% of your sodium consumption comes from processed and restaurant meals, so it is wise to limit their intake as much as possible and opt for homemade recipes using fresh ingredients instead. When buying packaged food products, look for ones labeled as “low” or “reduced sodium”, meaning those containing less salt per serving.

At your mealtimes, it is also a good idea to limit how many ‘fixins’ and salty side dishes you serve – such as pickles, olives, deli meats, fried or canned fish, soups and salad dressings with high sodium content (such as pickles and olives) you add. Choose condiments with lower sodium contents ( mustard ketchup barbecue sauce); as well as “low salt added” versions of bottled salad dressings and soy sauce that have no salt added versions available from vendors.

The 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans external link recommend that adults consume no more than 2,300 mg of sodium daily, so to reduce sodium consumption it’s best to skip out on saltshakers and opt for whole foods over processed products; try cooking techniques that enhance natural flavors such as herbs, spices, lemon or lime juice or other flavorful seasoning blends rather than salt.

Eat plenty of potassium-rich foods such as sweet potatoes, tomatoes, nonfat yogurt, dark leafy greens and kidney beans to counteract the negative impact of excess sodium on blood pressure. You can easily find these items by reading and comparing Nutrition Facts labels on food packages; when dining out ask that your meal be prepared without extra salt; also ask for sauces, dressings or gravies on the side so you can manage how much is added later on.

Smart Label Reading

Most health-minded individuals understand that sodium raises blood pressure, increasing risk for heart disease. Unfortunately, cutting back can be challenging – experts differ on exactly how much salt should be consumed daily but most Americans consume too much salt overall. As well as cutting back on sodium intake, maintaining a healthy weight and eating whole plant-based foods are also key strategies for supporting heart health.

Sodium occurs naturally in many foods, but processed and packaged food manufacturers add extra sodium for various reasons, including maintaining product texture, controlling microbial growth, increasing shelf life, improving flavor profiles and making swallowing easier. When purchasing foods, be sure to read the Nutrition Facts Panel to determine how much sodium per serving there is; choose “low,” “reduced-sodium,” or “no-salt-added” versions where possible.

Home meal preparation means choosing to consume less processed and frozen foods, ready-to-eat soups or entrees, pizza and fast food. Instead, opt for fresh or frozen fish, skinless poultry and lean meats – typically lower in sodium than their pre-prepared counterparts – instead. Beware when choosing condiments; look for ones without added sodium such as salsa, ketchup salad dressings soy sauce marinades capers olives relish as these may contain “no salt added”.

Be sure to carefully read beverage labels, since some beverages contain more sodium than others. If you drink soda, look for brands with reduced sodium or “light in sodium”. In general, diets rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains can help lower sodium consumption while physical activity and maintaining healthy weight management can promote cardiovascular wellbeing. Consult your physician or dietitian about your sodium consumption goals as well as your blood pressure goals for best results.

Seasoning Swaps

Substituting certain foods for others, and eliminating ultra-processed ones like salty snacks, pizzas, burgers, prepared frozen dinners and fast food are the first steps toward lowering sodium consumption and improving overall well-being. When selecting fresh or minimally processed produce such as vegetables, fruit, whole grains and lean meats and fish instead. Also take note of nutrition fact panels when purchasing packaged goods to identify sodium levels and opt for low or no sodium versions where available.

Salt can be found in many of our favorite foods, from potato chips and pretzels to canned soups and sauces. What may surprise you, however, is finding large amounts of sodium even in foods without an overtly salty flavor such as breads & rolls, ham & bacon products as well as deli meats & some cheeses.

When selecting deli meat or cold cuts, look for those which do not contain marinades, brines, or smokers which contain high levels of sodium. Furthermore, choose lean cuts which have not been injected with salt solutions, and consider buying pre-sliced instead of full slab.

Effective strategies to lower sodium consumption include using less salt in cooking and switching from bottled salad dressings to homemade, lower-sodium versions. You should also limit how much soy sauce and ketchup you use; soy sauce, ketchup, salsas, mustards, capers and pickles found in jarred varieties may contain excessive levels of sodium.

Cook with multiple single spices rather than pre-packaged spice blends that contain excess sodium. Also consider snacking on unsalted nuts and seeds when snacking.

Lastly, consult with a health care professional about ways you can decrease sodium intake. Over time, your taste buds may adapt and you may come to prefer lower-sodium meals.

The 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends that adults consume no more than 2,300 mg of sodium daily – approximately one teaspoon – which raises blood pressure and increases risk for heart disease, stroke and other health complications, particularly among certain racial/ethnic groups. Decreasing our sodium consumption can improve overall health while helping prevent high blood pressure which causes hundreds of thousands of premature deaths every year in America alone.

Cooking Whole Foods

Salt is an essential nutrient, but too much salt can lead to high blood pressure – one of the primary contributors to heart disease, stroke and other health conditions that disproportionately impact people of color. Switching out processed foods for fresh whole ingredients as this will help curb excessive sodium consumption which is present in canned, packaged or fast food meals.

As part of your efforts to lower sodium intake, cooking from scratch more frequently should be your starting point. Eating fresh produce such as fruits and vegetables as well as lean meats and dairy from nature provides essential nutrition, while the fresh flavoring makes for more appealing meals than salty processed products which contain higher levels of sodium.

Strive to consume foods labeled “low” or “reduced sodium,” and look out for products bearing the American Heart Association’s Heart-Check mark to identify lower-sodium options. When selecting canned and frozen vegetables, rinse or drain before adding to soups or casseroles; look for canned fish and poultry not injected with additional salt; choose fresh meats without marinades, smokes, brines or curing; limit processed cold cuts like bacon and deli turkey as possible options.

Condiments, sauces and dressings should also be limited in their sodium consumption. Choose low-sodium salad dressings, salsas and dips from stores; avoid high sodium-content ketchup and mustard; instead make your own delicious sauces using herbs, citrus fruits, vinegar or flavorful additives such as low sodium broth for homemade dishes that offer flavorful alternatives.

Consuming whole foods — particularly those that naturally are low in sodium — can significantly enhance both your physical and mental wellbeing. Planning and preparing healthy meals from scratch can also be therapeutic and enjoyable, providing a great way to spend time with loved ones or just yourself!

As part of making healthier choices at home and eating out, reduce sodium consumption when dining at restaurants. Eating out can add up quickly when it comes to sodium intake – it’s difficult to know exactly how much you’re consuming when ordering from menus; try choosing menu items such as steamed, baked, grilled, poached, roasted or broiled rather than fried dishes when dining out; limit sauces like soy sauce, ketchup, capers olives relish which may contain high levels of sodium when dining out as well.