Reducing the Sodium in Your Diet

In this kit we will use “sodium” and “salt” interchangeably, although they aren’t really the same. Common table salt (sodium chloride) is about 40 percent sodium and 60 percent chloride. Salt is added to food as a preservative and to sharpen the flavor of foods. Sodium is a mineral used by the body to control blood pressure and blood volume.

People with high blood pressure and heart failure can benefit by reducing the sodium in their diet. Too much sodium causes the body to retain fluid. This causes the blood pressure to increase and worsens heart failure. If your blood pressure is normal, you can reduce your risk of developing high blood pressure by reducing the sodium in your diet.   In this kit you will:

Step 1.             Determine the sources of sodium in your diet

Step 2.             Learn ways to reduce the amount of sodium you eat