Most sodium comes from processed, packaged, and restaurant foods, not the salt shaker, so the most effective cut is to choose whole foods, read labels, and cook more at home. Essential Concepts: limit processed foods, choose low-sodium options, rinse canned foods, use herbs and citrus, and keep daily sodium at 2,300 mg or less.
dietary guidelines
How to Reduce Your Sodium Intake
Essential Concepts: Choose fresh foods, read sodium labels, and limit processed and restaurant meals to help lower blood pressure and reduce excess sodium. Use herbs, citrus, and low-sodium substitutes for flavor, and seek dietitian guidance if you need a practical meal plan.
Healthy Eating and Moderation
Healthy eating is less about strict rules than about balance: enough energy, fiber, and key nutrients, with moderation to support weight, energy, and long-term health. The Healthy Eating Index, or HEI, measures diet quality in the United States, and the strongest patterns pair fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins while limiting excess sugar, sodium, and saturated fat.
Essential Concepts
Balance, moderation, diet quality, HEI, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, less sugar and sodium



