Fitness Forum – Sodium Reduction

Has your physician recommended that you reduce your daily sodium intake?  Even if he/she hasn’t, here’s some simple ways to get there.

Sodium is added to everything from pasta sauces, condiments, to frozen foods, so it’s no surprise that the average adult consumes 3,400 mg of sodium per day.  Many organizations such as the American Heart Association and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommend that adults should limit their sodium intake to no more than 2,300 mg per day to improve overall health. 

Reducing your sodium intake can be done with a few small changes in your diet.  Purchase low-sodium or sodium-free varieties of your usual pantry items such as soup stocks, sauces and canned vegetables.  Limit the use of processed and frozen foods.  Limit your intake of condiments such as dill pickles, ketchup, mayonnaise, soy sauce, and salad dressing. And finally, when cooking, instead of salt reach for lemon juice, citrus juices, dried spices and vinegar to add flavor to your food. 

Making one (or all) of these changes will reduce your daily sodium intake by hundreds of milligrams. As a bonus, become a ‘label sleuth’ -  it’s really as simple as reviewing the food labels to note the sodium contained to help you make a healthier option.

Be healthy!