The American Heart Association recommends a daily consumption of sodium to be < 2300 mg per day, ideally 1500 mg. It has been found that the typical American diet consists upwards of 3500 mg of sodium per day. Sodium makes its way into so many foods, especially processed foods. Sodium is added for flavor, texture, color enhancement, stabilization as well as a preservative in food.
Where is it hidden?
Sodium is found in high amounts in:
- Processed Grains (pizza, breads, baked goods)
- Example- one slice of white bread adds around 150mg of sodium
- Processed Meats (sausage, lunch meats)
- Example 2 oz of sliced deli turkey meat adds around 500mg of sodium
- Seasoning mixes
- Example 2 tsp of store-bought taco seasoning adds around 400mg of sodium
- Snacks such as chips, pretzels
- Example 1 oz potato chips adds around 200 mg of sodium
- Salted Nuts and Seeds
- Example 1 oz of salted peanuts adds around 120mg of sodium
- Canned Soups
- Example ½ cup of canned chicken noodle soup 890mg of sodium
- Canned Vegetables
- Example ½ cup Del Monte Cut Green Beans 380mg of sodium
- Frozen Dinners
- These can be as high as 1600mg
- Canned Sauces
- Example ½ cup of store-bought pasta sauce adds around 500 mg of sodium
What are the negative health consequences of a high sodium diet?
A diet high in sodium can lead to your body retaining extra fluid which leads to elevations in blood pressure. Elevated blood pressure then leads to damage on many other organs. Some examples of secondary damage related to elevations in blood pressure include:
- Heart failure
- Heart attack
- Kidney damage
- Stroke
- Dementia
- Decreased immune system function
- Vision loss
- Sexual dysfunction.
10 Ways to Decrease Sodium in Your Diet:
- Eat a diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables
- Buy “fresh frozen” vegetables over canned vegetables
- Avoid processed grains
- Get rid of the salt shaker
- Make your own pasta sauces
- Make your own soup
- Make your own frozen dinners by making a large batch of your favorite meal without added salt and freeze for later.
- Make your own seasonings. Check out the recipes on the website for lots of options!
- Ditch the chips! Snack on whole fruits and veggies, unsalted nuts and seeds.
- Slice your own deli meats! Slice cooked chicken breast and turkey breast to replace store-bought deli meats.