Tips to Avoid Excess Salt
Why watch salt? - Too much salt (sodium chloride) isn't good for anyone, but when you have a heart condition it's even more important to watch your sodium intake. Excessive sodium can cause water retention, high blood pressure, and shortness of breath. To avoid excessive sodium intake, eat regular meals and snacks comprised of fresh foods, and read the food label for sodium content and hidden sources of sodium.
Sodium is a naturally occurring mineral that is essential for proper regulation of body fluids and for nerve and muscle functioning. It is a mineral found naturally in many foods including table salt, convenience, snack and fast foods.
Guidelines for a prescribed diet:
3-4 grams sodium - No Added Salt diet: You may use up to 1/2 teaspoon of table salt per day in cooking; avoid adding salt at the table, and limit your servings of high sodium foods (foods with greater than 300 mg sodium/serving) to no more than 3 times per week.
2 gram sodium - Low Sodium diet: Recommended by the American Heart Association for individuals with heart failure. Do not use table salt in cooking or at the table; avoid high sodium foods. Avoid canned and processed foods.
1 gram sodium diet - No table salt allowed; avoid moderate (foods with 100-300 mg sodium/serving) and high sodium foods. Avoid frozen peas, lima beans, mixed vegetables and corn; avoid all canned vegetables and soups; limit bread to 3 slices per day.