Limit your sodium intake!

Sodium is a mineral that occurs naturally in foods that you eat every day, including meats, nuts, grains, and dairy. Our bodies need sodium to help maintain fluids, transmit nerve impulses and control muscle contraction.

However, the majority of Americans consume far more than the 2300 mg a day recommended for most people. When there is too much sodium in your diet, it puts extra stress on the heart and kidneys, and greatly increases your risk of developing high blood pressure.

Since 80% of the sodium we consume comes from packaged foods & restaurant meals, the best way to reduce the amount of sodium you consume is to limit the number of meals you eat out and cook your own fresh foods. Your health is worth it!

We know limiting your consumption might take a little getting used to, so here are some tips to help you:

• Use mostly fresh foods in your cooking. Frozen vegetables and fruit are also good, as long they are not packaged with salt or sauces. 

• Experiment with different herbs & spices to flavor your food in place of salt. Stock up on spice blends that do not contain salt. Many curry, fajita seasoning and poultry seasoning blends do not contain salt.

• If you buy food in cans, always look for "No salt added" or "Low sodium" versions. just a single teaspoon of table salt has 2,325 mg of sodium. Add plenty of fresh or frozen vegetables to soups or other canned food to lower the sodium concentration per serving.

• Track your sodium intake for a few days to see how close you are to the recommended levels (try MyFitnessPal.com). Even modest reductions in sodium results in a lower risk of heart attacks, strokes, heart disease & death.