Eat Less Sodium Sodium (known better as salt) helps your body balance the level of fluids inside and outside your cells. Your body needs some sodium every day to do this. But, most of us eat 3,000 to 6,000 mg a day — much more than we need.
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Too much sodium makes your body hold fluid. This means your heart has to overwork to pump this added fluid. So, unless your healthcare provider tells you otherwise, you need to limit your sodium intake to around 1,500 mg a day—that is less than 1 teaspoon (tsp).
Tips to limit sodium:
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• L ow-sodium means 140 mg or less sodium per serving. Try to keep your meals between 500 –700 mg of sodium.
• A void convenience foods such as prepared or skillet dinners, deli foods, cold cuts, hot dogs, frozen dinners or canned soups. As a rule, these are high in sodium.
• R ead all food labels for salt, sodium or things such as sodium benzoate or MSG. Look for Low-Sodium or No Salt Added labels on products.
• D o not cook with salt or add salt to foods after they are on the table. Use fresh or dried herbs, vegetables, fruits or no-salt seasoning to season your food.
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• E at baked, broiled, steamed or poached food. Eat these without breading, butter or sauces and don’t add salt. Go easy on the salad dressings. • A lthough it is best not to eat canned foods, if you do, drain the water off and rinse before cooking or eating them. This removes some of the sodium. Copyright © 2014 Pritchett & Hull Associates, Inc. DO NOT DUPLICATE.
• Stay away from fast foods. • E at fresh or canned, unsalted vegetables. These have less sodium than most processed foods.
Pritchett & Hull Associates, Inc. Bringing Patients & Health Together ®
Atlanta, GA
800-241-4925
Product # 364