What is sodium? How to figure the amount of sodium Sodium is a mineral that your body needs. It affects blood using Nutrition Facts food labels pressure and the amount of water held in your body. It is 1. Check the serving size. (See 1 below.) important that your body has the right amount of sodium. 2. Look at how much “Sodium” is in Many foods and beverages have sodium, but the main source each serving. (See 2 below.) in your diet is table salt. Your doctor has asked you to follow a low-sodium diet. This factsheet will help you know how much 3. Count how many servings you want to eat. sodium you get. 4. Take the “Sodium” number from the food label ( 2 ) and multiply it by how many What is a low-sodium diet? servings you are eating. The number is On a low-sodium diet, you should have less than 2,000 mg (or your total milligrams of sodium. 2 grams) of sodium in your food each day. Do not add salt when Example cooking or at mealtime. Avoid foods high in sodium. A list of low-sodium and high-sodium foods can be found on the next page. Nutrition Facts 4 servings per container What about prepared foods? 1 Serving size 1 cup (228 g) Read the Nutrition Facts food label on the prepared or packaged Amount Per Serving foods you eat. Check the serving size shown near the top of the label and note the total sodium in each serving. Follow the Calories 230 instructions in the column on the right to figure how much % Daily Value* sodium you are getting. If you have questions about a food or Total Fat 8g 10% beverage, please ask your dietitian. Saturated Fat 1g 5% Trans Fat 0g Tips for cutting back on sodium Cholesterol 0mg 0% 2 Sodium 160mg 8% • Choose foods with 140 milligrams (mg) of sodium or Total Carbohydrate 37mg 12% less per serving. Dietary Fiber 4g 14% • Choose fresh foods, which are lower in sodium than Total Sugars 12g Protein 3g processed foods. • Use less salt at the table and when cooking. One teaspoon Sample food label of table salt has 2,300 mg of sodium. • You want to eat 2 cups of this food. • Always check the nutrition label. Just because a food is labeled Two cups = 2 servings “unsalted” or “reduced sodium” doesn’t mean it is low in sodium. • Each serving has 160 milligrams of sodium. 2 servings x 160 milligrams of Tips for flavoring without sodium sodium = 320 milligrams of sodium • Talk to your doctor before using salt substitutes such as • Your total amount of sodium for this food is Mrs. Dash. They are not a good option for everyone. 320 milligrams.
• Other ways to flavor food include the following: Add all of the sodium for the food you eat -- Fresh lemon or lime juice, or vinegar throughout the day. Be careful not to eat more -- Chopped fresh or dried herbs than 2,000 milligrams of sodium in one day. -- Fresh ground pepper or red pepper flakes -- Finely chopped onion, ginger, or garlic
For more patient education information: Call 1-888-424-2100 toll free • Email [email protected] • Visit www.huntsmancancer.org Produced by HCI © 2018 • Approved by a team of medical, health, and communications specialists • November 2018 • Review Date November 2021 The lists below can help you choose what foods to eat on a low-sodium diet.
ENJOY AVOID these low-sodium foods: these high-sodium foods:
Oats, grits, and cream of wheat Biscuits, corn bread, and other “quick” Plain pasta, quinoa, rice breads prepared with baking soda Grains Unsalted popcorn Grains Pre-packaged bread crumbs Corn tortillas Pre-seasoned rice and pasta Fresh meat and fish Self-rising flours Canned tuna (limit to 4 ounces or less at a time) Cured meats: Bacon, ham, sausage, Dried beans and peas pepperoni, hot dogs Proteins Canned beans and peas, rinsed Proteins Canned meats (chili, Spam, Vienna Soybeans and tofu sausage, sardines) Eggs Smoked fish and meats
Unsalted nuts and nut butters Buttermilk Milk and milk powder Processed cheese spreads Plant milks such as rice and soy Dairy American or feta cheese Dairy Yogurt and Greek yogurt Shredded cheese Cream cheese String cheese
Fresh and frozen vegetables without Vegetables Seasoned or sauced frozen vegetables sauces or added salt Vegetables Sauerkraut and pickled vegetables Fruit Fresh and canned fruit French fries and onion rings
Tub or liquid margarine Fruit Olives Oils Canola, corn, peanut, olive, safflower, sunflower oils Oils Salted butter or margarine
Fresh or dried herbs All salt (including onion and garlic salts) Vinegars Bouillon cubes Condiments Lemon and lime juice Condiments Barbecue and Worcestershire sauces Pepper, red pepper flakes, cayenne Jarred salsa and relish Hot sauce in very small quantities Soy sauce
CHECK THE LABELS (low-sodium options available)
Prepared Frozen meals Vegetables Canned vegetables Foods Canned or dried soups
Breads, bagels, pretzels, and crackers Grains Fruit Dried fruit Hot and cold cereals
Ketchup Cottage cheese Dairy Condiments Salad dressings Block cheeses Seasoning mixes and marinades
Low Sodium Diet • Page 2