In planning your diet, remember to read the label on packaged and
canned foods for information on sodium (salt) content.
Many of the foods listed below contain large amounts of salt and
should be avoided:
- boxed foods and dinners
(such as macaroni and cheese)
- breaded fish
- canned meats, such as ham
- processed cheeses
- cottage cheese and cheese
spreads
- salted chips and salted crackers
- tomato sauce and vegetable juices
- “deli” foods, such as coleslaw, potato salad, and macaroni
salad
- premixed gravies and processed foods
- prepared meats, such as hot dogs, bologna, and salami
- canned soups and canned vegetables
- Chinese food
- “fast food”
- pickled vegetables, sauerkraut
- pickles and olives
Many prepared foods are available in lower-sodium versions. If you
don’t know the sodium content of a particular food, ask your
dietitian.
- Check with your doctor before using a salt substitute.
- When buying food at the fish or meat counter or from the deli,
be sure to request information about the sodium content
- TV dinners and other frozen food entrees may contain large
amounts of sodium. Most “regular” TV dinners have about 800 mg. or more of sodium for a serving size of 7 oz. to 13 oz.
Caution: Don’t be fooled by claims on the label. Terms like
“healthy” may mean “low fat” but not necessarily “low sodium.” Be sure to read sodium (salt) content on the label.
- Limit your use of buttermilk to one 8-ounce glass per day.
- One teaspoon of salt equals about 2,300 mg. of sodium.
Remember: A low-salt diet usually allows 2,000 mg. of sodium, but your sodium allowance may vary depending on your health.
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