Watch for Sneaky Salt Sources

Watch for Sneaky Salt Sources

One of the recommendations of the 2010 Dietary Guidelines pertains to the amount of salt consumed by Americans. By taking time to read the Nutrition Facts label we can see where our dietary salt comes from and why it is hard to avoid. Many processed foods contain salt in varying amounts. 

You may not be surprised that canned soups and seasoned rice products can contain significant amounts of salt. Bacon, hot dogs and other processed meats can also contain quite a bit of sodium. But sometimes sodium hides in foods that we would not determine as tasting salty. Some of these foods include: cheese, olives, and bottled salad dressings.

Tips to watch your sodium intake include:

- Avoid buying meat labeled “enhanced with broth” or similar claims.
- Look for low-sodium products like tuna, low sodium soups, and no salt added tomatoes.

- Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables is a painless way to reduce the effects of sodium.

- Cook and eat meals at home is a great way to reduce your sodium intake.

- Read Nutrition Facts labels on food products to determine the amount of sodium per serving.