Salt
There's a place for salt in a healthy eating plan, but most of us consume two or even three times the recommended amount, often without even realizing it. We do, however, need small amounts of salt for healthy functioning, such as maintaining a proper fluid balance in the body.
The blood pressure connection
About one-third of people are sensitive to the sodium component of salt. This means that eating foods with too much salt can increase the amount of blood in the arteries, raising blood pressure and increasing the risk of heart disease and stroke.
If you can lower your intake little by little each day, you can reduce blood pressure. Because our diets are generally so high in salt, everybody – even those with normal blood pressure – can benefit from reducing salt intake.
Foods with high salt content
About 80% of the salt we consume comes from processed foods, including fast foods, prepared meals, processed meats such as hot dogs and lunchmeats, canned soups, bottled dressings, packaged sauces, condiments such as ketchup and pickles, and salty snacks like potato chips.
Steps you can take to lower salt intake
Make as many meals at home so that you can control the amount of salt you add to your food.
When you’re grocery shopping, check the Nutrition Facts table on food products for sodium or salt.
Choose products that have a lower percentage daily value for sodium. Look for food products that are lower in sodium per serving. For example:
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Ingredient and serving size
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% Daily Value
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Small serving of crackers (20 g)
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10%
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Soups (125 mL condensed, 250 mL serving)
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20% to 27%
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Entrée (per serving = 720 mg)
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30%
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If you have been diagnosed with high blood pressure, please speak to your doctor about the amount of sodium you should be consuming on a daily basis.
To help reduce added, unnecessary salt:
- Cut down on prepared and processed foods.
- Look for products with claims such as low sodium, sodium reduced or no salt added.
- Eat more fresh vegetables and fruit.
- Reduce the amount of salt you add while cooking, baking or at the table.
- Experiment with other seasonings, such as garlic, lemon juice and fresh or dried herbs.
- When eating out, ask for nutrient information for the menu items and select meals lower in sodium.
Last reviewed January 2015
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