How to Reduce Your Salt Intake

Limiting your daily salt intake can help prevent major diseases. Here's how to cut back.

Step 1: Read labels Read labels when you shop. If salt or sodium chloride is one of the first ingredients listed on the label, don’t buy the product.
Step 2: Eliminate high-sodium foods Avoid high-sodium foods such as chips, salted nuts, and dressings. If you must eat them, try the low-sodium versions.
Step 3: Avoid processed foods Buy fresh or plain frozen vegetables. Most processed foods have salt added for taste and as a preservative. When buying canned vegetables, look for ones labeled "no salt added."
TIP: Processed foods account for most of the sodium and salt we consume.
Step 4: Rinse canned foods Rinse any canned foods that do contain sodium under running water to get rid of excess salt.
Step 5: Reduce salt when cooking Flavor foods with herbs, vinegar, and lemons instead of bouillon cubes and sauces, which are high in sodium.
Step 6: Don’t add salt Don’t put additional salt on your food. Remove the salt shaker from the dinner table.
TIP: Kosher salt, sea salt, garlic salt, onion salt, and many prepared spices have no less sodium than table salt.
Step 7: Eat at accommodating restaurants Go to restaurants that will prepare your food with low- or no-salt.
Step 8: Avoid fast food Don’t eat fast food. Fast food is notoriously high in salt.
FACT: Among the many uses for salt other than in your diet are soothing bee stings, repelling fleas, and cleaning cutting boards.