High Sodium Intake: Don't Blame Salt Shaker

Do you like salty foods? Do you add it to your food at the dinner table?

Chances are you’re eating too much sodium – even if you’re not adding it deliberately.

A new federal study found that almost everyone who should cut back their sodium intake to 1,500 mg consumes much more than that. Additionally, 90 percent of Americans who should limit their intake to less than 2,300 mg of sodium failed, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Where is all the sodium coming from if it’s not from the shaker?

It’s in frozen foods, canned foods, store bought meals and restaurant entrees.

If you want to lower the amount of sodium in your diet, try these helpful tips from the American Heart Association:

• Avoid eating processed, prepared and pre-packaged foods.
• Choose low-sodium versions of food.
• Read labels.
• Eat fruits and vegetables.
• Choose unsalted nuts, seeds, dried beans, peas and lentils.
• Use unsalted or low-sodium soups and broths.
• Never add salt to cooking.
• Use spices instead of salt.
• Do not keep the salt shaker on your dinner table.
• Avoid eating salted potato chips, lunch meats, hot dogs, salted pork, ham hocks, dill pickles and canned foods.

Remember these measurements the next time you’re cooking with salt:

• 1/4 teaspoon salt = 600 mg sodium
• 1/2 teaspoon salt = 1,200 mg sodium
• 3/4 teaspoon salt = 1,800 mg sodium
• 1 teaspoon salt = 2,300 mg sodium

Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; American Heart Association

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