Low Sodium Diet Food List' title='Low Sodium Diet Food List' />Sodium How to tame your salt habit. Sodium How to tame your salt habit. Find out how much sodium you really need, what high sodium foods to avoid, and ways to prepare and serve foods without adding sodium. By Mayo Clinic Staff. If youre like many people, youre getting far more sodium than is recommended, and that could lead to serious health problems. You probably arent even aware of just how much sodium is in your diet. Low Sodium Diet RecipesConsider that a single teaspoon of table salt, which is a combination of sodium and chloride, has 2,3. Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension DASH diet. Low Sodium DietsYou can eat healthy food that still tastes delicious Read more to learn about goodtasting foods that are low in sodium. Restaurant meals can be shockingly high in sodium. But its possible to follow a lowsalt diet even when youre dining out. And its not just table salt you have to worry about. Many processed and prepared foods contain sodium. See how sodium sneaks into your diet and ways you can shake the habit. Definition. A low sodium diet is a diet that is low in salt, usually allowing less than 1 teaspoon per day. Many diseases, including kidney disease, heart disease. How much sodium is in your diet See which foods are high in sodium, and get tips on how to cut back. Sodium Essential in small amounts. Your body needs some sodium to function properly because it Helps maintain the right balance of fluids in your body. Helps transmit nerve impulses. Influences the contraction and relaxation of muscles. Your kidneys naturally balance the amount of sodium stored in your body for optimal health. When your body sodium is low, your kidneys essentially hold on to the sodium. When body sodium is high, your kidneys excrete the excess in urine. But if for some reason your kidneys cant eliminate enough sodium, the sodium starts to build up in your blood. What To Eat In Evening To Lose Weight on this page. Because sodium attracts and holds water, your blood volume increases, which makes your heart work harder and increases pressure in your arteries. Such diseases as congestive heart failure, cirrhosis and chronic kidney disease can make it hard for your kidneys to keep sodium levels balanced. Some peoples bodies are more sensitive to the effects of sodium than are others. If youre sodium sensitive, you retain sodium more easily, leading to fluid retention and increased blood pressure. If this becomes chronic, it can lead to heart disease, stroke, kidney disease and congestive heart failure. Sodium How much do you need The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends limiting sodium to less than 2,3. Keep in mind that these are upper limits, and less is usually best, especially if youre sensitive to the effects of sodium. If you arent sure how much sodium your diet should include, talk to your doctor or dietitian. Sodium What are the major dietary sources The average American gets about 3,4. Here are the main sources of sodium in a typical diet Processed and prepared foods. The vast majority of sodium in the typical American diet comes from foods that are processed and prepared. These foods are typically high in salt and additives that contain sodium. Processed foods include bread, pizza, cold cuts and bacon, cheese, soups, fast foods, and prepared dinners, such as pasta, meat and egg dishes. Natural sources. Some foods naturally contain sodium. These include all vegetables and dairy products, meat, and shellfish. While they dont have an abundance of sodium, eating these foods does add to your overall body sodium content. For example, 1 cup 2. In the kitchen and at the table. Many recipes call for salt, and many people also salt their food at the table. Condiments also may contain sodium. One tablespoon 1. April 1. 6, 2. 01. See more In depth.