Sodium Controlled Diet

introduction

A Sodium Controlled Diet (Low-Salt diet) has been prescribed for you as medically necessary to improve your health. Sodium is a nutrient that is important to good health. It is found in most foods, and it is also added in the form of table salt, preservatives, and flavor enhancers to foods that we eat.

modifications/adequacy

In addition to sodium, fluid, protein, and/or potassium may need to be controlled depending on your diet prescription. A weight loss or weight management meal plan may deed to be combined with other restrictions. A Sodium Controlled diet is usually adequate in all nutrients needed for good health. The dietitian will make recommendations to supplement your intake with specific vitamins or minerals, is necessary.

dietary guidelines for sodium restricted diets

• Be aware that some medications are high in sodium. When in doubt, ask your pharmacist for information. Be sure to inform your physician about over-the-counter medication that you are using.

sodium content in over-the-counter medications

Information about sodium is found on the food label.

terms used on food labels

• SODIUM FREE (no sodium) = less than 5mg of sodium per serving.
• VERY LOW SODIUM = 35mg or less of sodium per serving.
• LOW SODIUM = 140mg or less of sodium per serving.
• REDUCED SODIUM = 25% less sodium than the original version of the product.
• NO ADDED SALT or UNSALTED = no salt is added during processing (but this does not guarantee the food product is low in sodium).

Fifty (50%) percent of the sodium we eat is added to packaged and processed foods as preservative, flavor enhancer, stabilizer, etc.

READ FOOD LABELS! Look for milligrams (mg) of sodium (Na) per serving

Although ingredients are listed in order of decreasing amounts, sodium listed as a last ingredient does not guarantee a low-sodium product. Be aware of non-traditional seasonings that may be high in sodium (i.e. 1 teaspoon of sea salt contains 1716 mg of sodium).

• Salt substitutes are widely available. They include potassium chloride, ammonium chloride, citrates, formats, glutamates, chlorine salts, and blended herb seasonings. These products are sodium free. However, salt substitutes may contain nutrients (such as potassium) that are restricted by your diet prescription. Talk to your physician before using any salt substitute. Salt substitutes supply 390-507 mg potassium per gram. An average teaspoon (5gm) contains 1950-2535 mg potassium.
• When using wine in cooking, do not use “cooking” wine because it contains sodium.
• Reduce salt in cooking and in recipes by half the amount. Gradually omit salt completely except in baking recipes, and use spices and herbs to season.
• Start with fresh or frozen foods (rather than canned, processed, cured, or smoked, which have sodium added. You control the seasonings added to the food.
• Avoid canned or bottled sauces, BBQ, soy, steak, chili, tomato, salad dressings, etc. Make your own sauces without salt.
• Instead of using prepared foods, eat homemade foods or low sodium versions-such as cornbread, baked goods, pizza, spaghetti sauce. Commercially processed and packaged foods generally contain sodium. Most fast foods and frozen dinners are high in sodium.
• At the table, taste your food before adding salt.
• Use a shaker with small holes only, or cover all but one hole with scotch tape.
• Add toasted sesame seeds to rice, chicken, fish, salads, etc., instead of salt.
• Hot pepper sauce, Angostura, Tabasco, Kitchen bouquet, and some sodium reduced products are approved for use.
• When eating out in restaurants, ask your server to have food prepared without added salt. Do not salt food at the table.
• Use pure herbs and spices instead of seasoned salts-i.e., garlic powder instead of garlic salt, onion powder instead of onion salt, etc. Create your own blends (see sample recipes below), and substitute them for your “salt shaker.”

salt-free seasoning alternatives

Salt-free Season-All (mix for meat and vegetables)
1tsp each: basil, marjoram, thyme, oregano, parsley, savory, mace, ground cloves, and black pepper, plus ½ tsp nutmeg and ¼ tsp cayenne pepper.

Salt-free Herb Blend I
1 tsp each: basil, dried marjoram, dried thyme, dried oregano, dried parsley, dried savory, ground cloves, ground mace, black pepper, plus ½ tsp each: ground nutmeg and cayenne pepper.

Salt-free Herb Blend II
1tsp dill weed or basil, ¼ grated dried lemon peel, 1 tsp oregano leaves, 2 Tbsp onion powder, 1tsp crushed celery seed, dash of black pepper.

Spicy Flavor Blend
Salt-free 2 Tbsp crushed savory, 1 Tbsp mustard powder, 2 ½ tsp onion powder, 1 ¼ tsp white pepper, 1 ½ tsp curry powder, ½ tsp garlic powder, 1 ¼ tsp cumin.

Salt-free All-Purpose Spice Blend
5 tsp onion powder, 1, 2 ½ tsp garlic powder, 2 ½ tsp paprika, 2 ½ mustard powder, 1 ¼ tsp thyme, ½ ground white pepper, ¼ tsp celery seed.

2000 mg sodium diet

Dinner

Green salad (3/12 oz)
Vinegar and oil dressing (1tbsp)
Broiled skinless chicken breast (3 oz)
Herbed brown rice (1/2 cup)
Steamed broccoli (1/2 cup)
Whole-grain roll (1)
Margarine (2 tsp) 
Fruit sorbet (1/2) 
Medium apple (1) 
Coffee/tea