Low-Salt Diet
Best Bets
- Fresh foods such fruits, meats, vegetables
- Oats
- Packaged or prepared foods: look for labels stating “low-sodium,” “salt-free,” or “unsalted”
- Pasta
- Rice
- Seasonings and marinades such as dried herbs, garlic, lemon juice, and/or vinegar (in place of salt)
Foods to Avoid
To avoid salt ask about ingredients at restaurants and others’ homes, and read food labels. The following list is not complete. Consult with a healthcare professional before making any significant changes to your diet.
- Canned soups, juices, and vegetables
- Cereals : cornflakes, bran flakes
- Cheese
- Cottage cheese
- Hydrolyzed vegetable protein
- Ketchup
- Lite soy sauce
- Microwave popcorn
- Miso
- Olives
- Pickles
- Processed meats : bologna, cured ham, frankfurters, etc.
- Salad dressings (prepared)
- Salted butter and margarine
- Salted nuts
- Seaweeds
- Smoked or cured fish
- Snack foods : potato chips, pretzels, tortilla chips
- Soy sauce
- Table salt
- Worcestershire sauce
Nonfood Factors
Exercise as you normally would. Experts recommend at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity activity most days of the week.
Is This Diet Vegetarian-Friendly?
Yes.
Eating Out
Ask for your meals to be prepared without salt when you eat out. Don’t order foods with soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, most salad dressings, or olives. Ask to have the salt shaker removed from the table.