Understanding a Low Sodium Diet

Our bodies need sodium to keep muscles and nerves working  and to balance the amount of water inside us. The average adult needs about 500 to 1000 milligrams of sodium every day.  The average adult in America eats about 2000 to 5000 milligrams each day!  Many of your clients might benefit from a low sodium diet.

The order for a low sodium diet might be for a specific amount of sodium, such as 1000 mg(1 gram).  Or, it might be an order for “NAS” (No Added Salt) which means the client shouldn’t add any salt at the table.

Doctors might order a low sodium diet for:

• People with high blood pressure.
• People who are at risk for high blood pressure.
• People who have had a stroke.
• People who have a lot of edema.

THE BENEFITS OF A LOW SODIUM DIET:

• Some people are especially “salt sensitive.”  This means that when they eat salt, their blood pressure really goes up.  Following a low sodium diet will help them keep their blood pressure under control.
• Eating a low sodium diet decreases the risk of having serious problems like heart disease and strokes.
• If clients take medications to lower their blood pressure, the drugs will work much better if the clients stick to a low sodium diet.  And, chances are, your clients will be able to take less blood pressure medicine if they follow a low sodium eating plan.

Clients on a low sodium diet should eat:

• Lots of fresh fruits and vegetables.
• Small servings of meat, poultry, fish, dairy products, and eggs—because these foods have more sodium.
• Very little canned and processed food—because these are the highest in sodium.  (Lots of foods have sodium added during processing.  These include cheese, bacon, sausage, ham, pickles, and sauerkraut.)
• No salty foods like chips, popcorn, pretzels, and crackers.