Low-Sodium Food Swaps

Searching for low-sodium foods at the supermarket can be a time-consuming task. We’ve gathered 22 low-sodium foods to get you started.

By Marsha McCulloch, M.S., R.D.

When you begin a low-sodium diet*, you quickly discover salt (a primary source of sodium) is in a lot of foods you wouldn’t have suspected. As you’ll find in the following slides, even healthful foods like whole grain bagels and chicken breasts can pack their share of sodium.

Keep these tips in mind when you’re comparing foods to get the least sodium per serving:

• Check your favorite brand for a low-sodium option, but if there isn’t one, try other brands (including natural food brands).
• To qualify for a “low-sodium” claim, a food (or beverage) should have 140 milligrams or less of sodium per serving.
• Compare nutrition labels to ensure you’re not getting a lot more calories and fat in exchange for lower sodium.
• Even small sodium savings can add up—especially if you eat more than one serving at a time or eat the food frequently.

*The daily sodium limit is 1,500 milligrams for people with hypertension, African-Americans, and adults older than 50. The daily sodium limit for healthy adults younger than 50 is 2,300 milligrams a day.