The American Heart Association recommends no more than 2,300 mg sodium per day, with an ideal limit of 1,500 mg per day — the amount in less than 3/4 teaspoon.
Most dietary sodium comes from packaged, prepared and restaurant foods [LINK to L3, Foods High in Sodium]. On packaged foods, check the Nutrition Label [LINK to L3, Sodium and Food Labels] for the Percent Daily Value for sodium; select foods that provide five percent or less per serving.
If you find yourself continually eating more than 100 percent of the Daily Value for sodium each day, consider these lower sodium alternatives.
- Unsalted fresh or frozen beef, lamb, pork, fish and poultry
- Low-sodium cheese
- Low-sodium peanut butter
- Unsalted crackers
- Low-sodium canned soups, broths and bouillons
- Fresh and frozen vegetables and low-sodium canned vegetables
- Unsalted tortilla chips, pretzels, potato chips and popcorn
When cooking, try salt-free options to boost flavor without sodium.