A low-sodium diet is important for those with medical conditions like high blood pressure, kidney disease, and cardiovascular problems. Fresh foods like meats, fruits, and vegetables should be used instead of processed foods. The diet should not contain more than 1 teaspoon of sodium per day. It can be difficult to adjust to at first, but experimenting with low-salt options and using garlic, herbs, lemon juice, and vinegar can help. Homemade soups and rice cakes are good alternatives to canned soups and salty snacks. Reading food labels is important to avoid high-sodium products.
A low sodium diet is an eating plan that has a limited amount of salt. High amounts of salt or sodium chloride in the diet are especially harmful for people with certain medical conditions, such as high blood pressure, kidney disease, and cardiovascular problems. Doctors often prescribe low-salt diets as part of the treatment for these conditions and diseases. People on a low sodium diet should avoid processed foods and focus on fresh foods.
Meats, poultry, unsalted nuts, dried beans, fruits, vegetables, rice, pasta, and oatmeal form the basic ingredients for a low-sodium diet. Fresh rather than canned, frozen, or processed varieties of these foods should be used at all times on low-salt diets. Baked goods should be limited, as both the baking soda and the powder contain high amounts of sodium. Frozen dinners, snacks, and fast foods are also high in salt. Pickles, tomato sauce, olives, soy sauce, and butter should be eliminated as a side dish on low-sodium diets.
Low-salt diets should not contain more than 1 teaspoon (2,300 mg) of sodium per day. A typical meal of hamburgers and fries can contain more than half the recommended daily amount of salt. Home-cooked chicken, rice, and fresh vegetables are an example of a better low-sodium meal alternative to fast or processed foods, such as burgers and luncheon meats. Table salt and salty sauces or seasonings should be avoided as condiments. Salted unsalted butter instead of regular should be used on rice or vegetables.
Since people often develop eating habits early and get used to them over a long period of time, it can be difficult for many to enjoy a low sodium diet at first. However, by experimenting with low-salt food options and giving the diet several weeks’ duration, many people learn to enjoy less sodium in their meals. Flavoring foods with garlic, herbs, lemon juice, and vinegar to replace salt can help keep low-sodium foods tasty.
Instead of canned soups, which are typically high in salt, people on a low-sodium diet should create a homemade soup recipe with salt-free seasonings and spices. Round, crunchy snacks called rice cakes are a healthy, sodium-free alternative to salty chips and popcorn. It is important for those on a low sodium diet to read food labels. If any of the first few ingredients in a commercial product list sodium or salt, the item is likely too salty for the recommended diet.
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