Making Sense of Sodium and Salt

The Nutrition Facts panel lists several nutrients that are important to health, including calories, fat, protein, and sodium. Sodium is a mineral, one of two in table salt (sodium chloride). While your body needs sodium to help regulate fluids, too much sodium has been linked to high blood pressure. The Daily Value (DV) for sodium is 2,400 milligrams, approximately the amount in one teaspoon of salt. The recommended level for people with high blood pressure and for older adults is lower.

You may be surprised to learn that most of the sodium in your diet does not come from the salt shaker on the table. About 75% of sodium in the average diet comes from packaged foods and restaurant meals. Salt added at the table contributes about 10% of your daily total. The rest is naturally present in foods.

Keeping track of sodium is almost as easy as counting calories and POINTS. As you shop, compare the amount of sodium in packaged foods to the DV and balance your food choices to stay below the daily 2,400 milligram mark. Most fresh and plain frozen fruits and vegetables have very little sodium.

Keep up the good work! Losing weight and getting regular physical activity also help keep blood pressure in check.

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