Articles
Sodium: How to tame your salt habit
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
What foods have sodium?
Most of the sodium in the typical American diet comes from processed or prepared foods. These include bread, pizza, cold cuts and bacon, cheese, soups, fast food, and prepared dinners, such as pasta, meat and egg dishes.
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.
Some foods naturally contain sodium. These include all vegetables and dairy products, meat, and shellfish. While these foods don't have an abundance of sodium, eating them does add to your overall body sodium content. For example, 1 cup (237 milliliters) of low-fat milk has about 100 mg of sodium.
