Salt Shockers Slideshow: High-Sodium Surprises
Are You Getting Too Much Sodium?
Your body needs sodium. But most of us get too much. U.S. guidelines call for less than 2,300 milligrams of sodium per day: about 1 teaspoon of table salt. And half of Americans should drop to 1,500 milligrams a day. You may be surprised by some of the foods that are high in sodium. It's not just about the salt shaker on your table.
Canned Vegetables
While a handy substitute for fresh, canned veggies often have preservatives or sauces and seasonings that add extra sodium. A cup of canned cream-style corn may have 730 milligrams of sodium.
Tips: Rinse vegetables thoroughly, or buy canned ones labeled "no salt added" or "low sodium." Or check the freezer section, where you may have more luck finding an unsalted choice.
Packaged Deli Meats
One look at the sodium content in packaged meats should stop you in your tracks. Beef or pork dry salami (2 slices) can pack 362 milligrams of sodium.
Tip: Be a label reader. Different brands and different meats have differing amounts of sodium. Also, know that a "healthier" packaged meat may actually have more sodium than its higher-fat counterpart. Some brands have meats with 50% less sodium.
Soups
It's a warm comfort food on a cold day, but soups are typically loaded with sodium. For instance, a cup of chicken noodle soup (canned) has much as 744 milligrams of sodium.
Tips: Look for reduced-sodium versions of your favorites. And always check the label. You might find that one brand's "Healthy" version actually has less sodium than the "25% Less Sodium" variety.
Marinades and Flavorings
Notoriously high-sodium items include Teriyaki sauce (1 tablespoon) which can have 690 milligrams of sodium, and soy sauce (1 tablespoon), which may have up to 1,024 milligrams of sodium.
Tips: Even "lower-sodium" soy sauce can have a lot of sodium, so use sparingly. Go for vinegar and lemon juice to enhance flavor, since they naturally have less sodium. Try orange or pineapple juice as a base for meat marinades.
Spicing It Up
Adding spices to an entrée can be an easy way to skip the salt shaker. Just make sure there's no hidden sodium in your selection. For example, canned jalapeno peppers (1/4 cup, solids and liquids) have about 568 milligrams of sodium.
Tips: Go for the pepper in its natural form to ditch the sodium used in processing. Or use herbs and sodium-free spices instead.
Aw, Nuts!
Rethink those salty peanuts. An ounce of most dry-roasted, salted peanuts contains 192 milligrams of sodium. Similarly, the same size serving of dry-roasted, salted mixed nuts has about 190 milligrams.
Tips: For about the same amount of calories, an ounce of oil-roasted, salted peanuts rings in at only 76 milligrams of sodium. Or better yet, buy the unsalted variety, which are practically sodium-free.
Salty Snacks
These snack-time favorites pack a lot of salt. See how much sodium you're getting in an average 1-ounce serving.
- Potato chips:136 milligrams
- Cheese puffs: 240 milligrams
- Pretzels: 385 milligrams
Tip: Even "baked" or fat-free snacks can have the same amount of sodium or more, so check the label.
Pre-Packaged Products
Foods such as rice, potatoes, and pasta in their natural forms are naturally low in sodium. But if you get the convenient "all-in-one" box and add the flavor packet, you may end up eating more than half of your daily allowance of sodium in just one serving.
Tips: Skip the packaged rice, and choose a plain, fast-cooking variety; then add your own seasonings. Or microwave potatoes to serve with your choice of fixings.
Condiments Do Count
If you think those little extras you add to your food don't count, think again.
- Ketchup (1 tablespoon) = 167 milligrams
- Sweet relish (1 tablespoon) = 122 milligrams
- Capers (1 tablespoon) = 252 milligrams (drained)
Tip: Go for low-sodium or sodium-free condiments. Or get creative with your substitutions: Try cranberry relish or apple butter for a naturally lower sodium choice.
Food Label Claims
Here's a cheat sheet:
- Sodium-free: Less than 5 milligrams of sodium per serving
- Very low-sodium: 35 milligrams or less per serving
- Low-sodium: Less than 140 milligrams per serving
- Reduced sodium: Sodium level reduced by 25%
- Unsalted, no salt added, or without added salt: Made without the salt that's normally used, but still contains the sodium that's a natural part of the food itself.
What's in a Name?
When you're scanning a food label, don't just look for the word "salt." Watch out for various forms of sodium or other names for the same thing:
- sodium alginate
- sodium ascorbate
- sodium bicarbonate (baking soda)
- sodium benzoate
- sodium caseinate
- sodium chloride
- sodium citrate
- sodium hydroxide
- sodium saccharin
- sodium stearoyl lactylate
- sodium sulfite
- disodium phosphate
- monosodium glutamate (MSG)
- trisodium phosphate
- Na
Pitfalls When Eating Out
Restaurant soups are generally very high in sodium, as are appetizers with cheeses or meats. Casserole entrees and rice pilaf are also common pitfalls. Restaurant sauces often have a lot of sodium, so you may want to avoid items slathered in sauce. If you ask, most restaurants are willing to prepare your food without added salt, but that won't necessarily make it low in sodium.
Better Menu Choices
Fish can be a lower-sodium choice at a restaurant, as long as you watch how it's seasoned. Steamed vegetables (prepared without salt) are another smart choice. Also, try a salad with dressing on the side. Low-sodium dessert options include fruit, ice cream, sherbet, or angel food cake.
When You're Eating Fast Food
Try these helpful tips:
- Undress your food, but keep the veggies like lettuce and tomatoes: Skip the cheese, go easy on condiments, and don't add salt.
- Don't supersize; order off the children's menu for smaller portions.
- Eat a low-sodium diet for the rest of the day.
- Ask for a nutrition fact sheet at the restaurant (or find it online before you go) to help you make the best possible low-sodium choices.
Who Should Go Low-Sodium?
U.S. guidelines call for about half of Americans to limit sodium to 1,500 milligrams or less per day, including:
- People ages 51 and older
- African Americans
- People with high blood pressure, diabetes, or chronic kidney disease.
The American Heart Association recommends getting less than 1,500 milligrams of sodium per day. Cutting back on salt can cut blood pressure in some people. It can help lower the risk of heart disease, stroke, and kidney damage in those who have high blood pressure.
Reviewed by James Beckerman, MD, FACC on February 02, 2014
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SOURCES
American Heart Association: "Sodium Guidelines Set by the FDA," "Cutting Down on Salt."
CDC: "Sodium Q&A."
Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2010.
MedlinePlus: "Sodium Bicarbonate."
USDA: "Lowering Salt in Your Diet," "Food Additive Status List," "Guidance for Industry: A Food Labeling Guide," "USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference."
USDA: U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2010. 7th Edition, Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office, December 2010.
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