Sodium: How to tame your salt habit

Articles

Sodium: How much do you need? Sodium: Essential in small amounts Sodium: How much is too much? Sodium: What are the major dietary sources? Tips for cutting back on sodium Sodium: Be a savvy shopper Know the label lingo Content What happens to sodium in the body? How much sodium is too much? What foods have sodium? How do I cut back on sodium? Check the label Learn the lingo Use salt substitutes wisely Go low and take it slow

The average American gets about 3,400 mg of sodium a day — much more than is recommended. 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 don't have an abundance of sodium, eating these foods does add to your overall body sodium content. For example, 1 cup (237 milliliters) of low-fat milk has about 100 mg of sodium.
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 (15 milliliters) of soy sauce, for example, has about 1,000 mg of sodium.