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      1. Home
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      4. 16 High Sodium Foods to Know About
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      16 High Sodium Foods

      HiSalt_Main_Icon

      The recommended daily intake (RDI) for sodium in adults is 2,300 mg/day. For people with chronic kidney disease (CKD), a lower sodium intake of under 2,000 mg/day is recommended—though only your doctor can tell you what's right for you. On average, the daily sodium intake for Americans is about 3,400 mg/day, and you may be consuming much more than you even realize. To help protect your health, it's important to become aware of your salt intake and to focus on choosing low sodium foods, while limiting foods high in sodium.

      The effects of too much sodium

      Sodium intake can have a big impact on your health, especially if you're living with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Too much sodium contributes to fluid buildup, which can cause high blood pressure and stress on your body. People with kidney disease are already at risk for fluid buildup, known as hypervolemia, because their kidneys aren't working well enough to eliminate excess fluids as efficiently as healthy kidneys would. Eating too much salt can make fluid retention worse.

      The good news is that there are several things you can do to help manage your salt and fluids. One big step is learning which high sodium foods to watch out for-and which low sodium foods to choose instead.

      Shake off the Salt!

      HOW TO LIMIT HIGH SODIUM FOODS

      Get easy tips for choosing low- or no-sodium foods to help you stay your healthiest. See how to shake off the salt.

      Watch now

      What foods are high in sodium?

      1. CONDIMENTS

        varies from 150–900 mg per serving

        Ketchup and barbecue sauce can add over 150 mg per tablespoon. Soy sauce can add a whopping 900 mg of sodium per tablespoon.

      2. TOMATO SAUCE

        400 mg per ¼ cup serving

        Tomato sauce can make an otherwise healthy dish high in sodium—it shows up in pastas, pizzas, soups and more.

      3. SEASONINGS

        varies, up to 690 mg per serving

        Some seasoning blends incorporate salt where you might not expect it, like Cajun spices or ramen seasonings.

      4. CANNED VEGETABLES

        varies, up to 300 mg per ½ cup serving

        Some canned vegetables are packed with salt. Be sure to choose “no added salt” options.

      5. VEGETABLE JUICE

        varies, up to 440 mg per ¼ cup serving

        Drinking your vegetables can be very high in sodium. Look for low sodium options instead.

      6. PICKLES

        785 mg in a medium pickle

        Pickles are made by preserving vegetables in brine, which is a salt solution—making them a very high-sodium food.

      7. MOST BREAKFAST CEREALS

        varies, around 220 mg or more per 1 cup serving

        Even “healthy” options can have as much as 580 mg in a cup. Read food labels to find low sodium options.

      8. PANCAKES

        varies, 400–2,000 mg per serving

        Making your own pancakes at home from scratch or a low sodium mix can help you control the salt.

      1. COTTAGE CHEESE

        800–1,000 mg or more per 1 cup serving

        Cottage cheese is a low-calorie, high-protein food. It can also be high in sodium, so pick a low sodium option.

      2. PROCESSED CHEESES

        270 mg per 1 oz slice

        A slice of American cheese has lots of sodium. Mozzarella or Monterey Jack are lower sodium options.

      3. DELI MEATS, SAUSAGES AND HOT DOGS

        500–1,000 mg per 2 oz serving

        Processed meats can contain lots of salt, plus preservatives that also contain sodium. Look for “no salt added” or “lower sodium” options. 

      4. FROZEN SHRIMP

        up to 800 mg per 3 oz serving

        Buy fresh shrimp if you can or check labels to avoid frozen shrimp with added salt or sodium.

      5. SOUP

        varies, up to 800 mg per cup

        Try low sodium varieties to make your own soup at home with low sodium broth.

      6. PIZZA

        varies, 500–800 mg or more per slice

        Pizza combines several potentially high sodium foods—tomato sauce, cheese and sausage or pepperoni. Choose fresh veggie toppings instead.

      7. SANDWICHES

        varies, up to 2,325 mg or more

        Cured meats and condiments add up to too much sodium. Opt for low sodium meats, cheeses and fresh veggies.

      8. PREPACKAGED FROZEN DINNERS

        varies, up to 1,300 mg per dinner

        Be sure to read food labels and compare options, so you can make healthy choices.

      read_label

      READ THE LABEL

      Look for foods that contain less than 10% of the recommended daily value for sodium.
      Explore kidney friendly recipes

      COOK YOUR OWN KIDNEY-FRIENDLY MEALS

      When you cook for yourself, you can take charge of your own phosphorus, sodium, and more. For more help crafting your own kidney-friendly diet, check out our recipes!
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