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Low Sodium Diet

Low sodium diets tend to be prescribed by healthcare specialists to help improve or control specific medical conditions. Sodium is an essential mineral integral to many functions in the body.

High-salt diet

What is a low sodium diet?

Sodium is found naturally in a lot of foods and is the main component of table salt. A diet low in sodium is frequently recommended to people whose health conditions can be aggravated through high sodium intake:

Hypertension
Heart failure
Chronic kidney disease

Healthy kidneys have many functions, including regulating sodium levels. Therefore, when your health condition affects renal function, doctors recommend keeping sodium intake under 2 to 3 grams per day (or 3,000mg sodium).

What can a low sodium diet achieve?

Individuals with compromised kidney function find that sodium restriction can help reduce the risk of pressure buildup in the blood and further kidney damage. Indeed, when the kidney can't eliminate waste and excess fluid effectively, high sodium intake can lead to fluid buildup and edema, as well as increased blood pressure.

Patients who already have hypertension are at risk of heart disease and stroke. Reducing sodium intake can be instrumental in controlling blood pressure.

If you already have a heart condition, such as heart failure, kidney function is likely to decline, which can lead to swelling through the excess fluid. While swelling is commonly noticed in hands, arms, feet, ankles, and legs, it could develop anywhere in the body, leading to risks of pulmonary edema.

Low sodium alternatives
High sodium food	Low sodium alternative
Crackers	Unsalted crackers
Cheese	Low sodium cheese
Peanut butter	Low sodium peanut butter
Salted seasoning	Spices, pepper, mustard powder, fresh and dried herbs, lemon juice, garlic, vinegar, chili
Salt	Lawry’s Salt-Free 17 seasoning McCormick Perfect Pinch Salt-Free seasonings Dash Salt-Free Seasonings
Packaged, plain, frozen, cured, processed meat or fish	Fresh-caught seafood, fresh cuts
Canned or restaurant soup	Low sodium soup, homemade soup
Boxed potato casseroles	Baked sweet potato or winter squash
Canned vegetables, canned fruits	Fresh produce
White bread	Whole grain bread
Processed meals	Homemade meals