In an effort to cut back on sodium intake, many of us have looked for the obvious sources of sodium. We all know the saltshaker on the dinner table adds sodium. We may also aware canned goods and seasoning mixes used in favorite recipes are loaded with sodium. Those are probably the most obvious sources of sodium we encounter, but what about the hidden sources of sodium in food?
According to the Centers for Disease Control, almost 40% of the sodium in our diets comes from only a few foods. Even items that do not taste “salty” can be a significant source of sodium. Consider how many of the below items you may be eating each day.
6 Hidden Sodium Sources:
- Bread, rolls, and bagels – a plain bagel can contain 400 mg of sodium
- Tortillas – like bread, there is ample sodium in tortillas, almost 400 mg in an average 8-inch flour tortilla
- Cheese – one slice of American cheese can contain over 350 mg of sodium
- Tomato Sauce – a ¼ cup serving of plain tomato sauce can contain over 300 mg of sodium
- Pizza – one large slice of frozen pizza can contain over 700 mg of sodium
- Cold Cuts – a two-ounce serving can contain almost 500 mg of sodium
Looking for ways sodium sneaks into your diet can make a big impact on reducing your overall sodium intake. Additionally, always read the food labels of all packaged foods.
Links:
https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/educational/healthdisp/pdf/tipsheets/Tips-to-Eat-Less-Salt-and-Sodium.pdf
https://www.eatright.org/health/wellness/heart-and-cardiovascular-health/the-facts-on-sodium-and-high-blood-pressure
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This post was originally written by Christina Lewis RD, a former Account Management employee.