Low-Sodium Diet for Heart Failure Patients

What is Sodium?
Sodium is a mineral, commonly known as salt It is found in many of the foods we eat, such as processed foods, frozen foods and canned foods

How much Sodium should I eat?

Your doctor may suggest you limit your sodium to 1500 milligrams (1.5 grams) or 2000 milligrams (2 grams). Too much sodium in your diet can cause fluid to build up in your body. This makes your heart work harder.

1 teaspoon of salt = 2400 mg of sodium

Nutrition Facts Label

Look for sodium content of packaged foods on the nutrition facts label
Check the serving size to see how much = 1 serving.

The amount of sodium listed is for one serving.

Try to choose foods that have 140 mg or less of sodium per serving.

How Can I Limit my Sodium?

Do not add salt to your food
Instead, try adding herbs, pepper or salt-free seasonings, such as Mrs. Dash
Be cautious with salt substitutes if you have kidney disease. These may contain high levels of potassium.

Lemon or lime juice can help add flavor to your food

What about Sea Salt?

By weight, sea salt has the same amount of sodium in it as table salt Sea salt comes in a variety of grain sizes.
If the size of the grain is the same as table salt, then 1 teaspoon sea salt = 2400 mg of sodium.

It is best to limit all salt, including table, sea and kosher salt.

How much Sodium is in that?

1 Tablespoon of ketchup = 154 mg

1 Tablespoon of mustard = 170 mg

1 pickle spear = 306 mg

8 oz. of V-8 = 420 mg

How much Sodium is in that?

2 slices of bacon = 310 mg

2 links of breakfast turkey sausage = 358 mg

1 slice of Kraft Singles, non-fat American = 273 mg

How much Sodium is in that?

1 oz. tortilla chips = 95 mg

1 oz. hard pretzels = 326 mg

1 oz. plain potato chips = 180 mg

1 oz. is the size of most single serving snack bags

How much Sodium is in that?

1 egg roll = 417 mg

1 order of sweet and sour chicken = 1737 mg

1 order of chicken chow mein = 1878 mg

How much Sodium is in that?

1 slice of a 14 regular crust cheese pizza = 640 mg

1 slice of a 14 regular crust pepperoni pizza = 760 mg

How much Sodium is in that?

Sausage, egg and cheese on English muffin = 904 mg

1 Fruit N Yogurt Parfait = 70 mg

1 Fruit and Maple Oatmeal = 160 mg

How much Sodium is in that?

1 McDonalds Big Mac = 1007 mg

1 McDonalds hamburger = 469 mg

1 McDonalds small fries = 160 mg

4-piece McDonalds chicken nuggets = 360 mg

How much Sodium is in that?

Taco Bell crunchy taco with beef, cheese and lettuce; 1 taco = 274 mg

Taco Bell soft taco with chicken, cheese and lettuce; 1 taco = 601 mg

Taco Bell taco salad = 1935 mg

How much Sodium is in that?

Campbells Homestyle Chicken Noodle Soup, condensed; cup = 931 mg

Campbells Tomato Soup, condensed; cup = 467 mg

Campbells Healthy Request Chicken Noodle Soup; 1 cup = 410 mg

How much Sodium is in that?

Banquet Cheesy Mac N Beef; 1 meal = 810 mg

Banquet Lasagna with Meat Sauce; 1 meal = 510 mg

Banquet Salisbury Steak and Gravy; 1 steak = 710 mg

Banquet Chicken Pot Pie; 1 pie = 1040 mg

How much Sodium is in that?

Healthy Choice Crustless Chicken Pot Pie; 1 meal = 560 mg

Healthy Choice Golden Roasted Turkey Breast; 1 meal = 520 mg

Healthy Choice Chicken and Rice Cheddar Bake; 1 meal = 600 mg

How much Sodium is in that?

Healthy Choice Herb Crusted Fish; 1 meal = 370 mg

Healthy Choice Sesame Chicken; 1 meal = 460 mg

Healthy Choice Honey Roasted Chicken; 1 meal = 350 mg

Healthy Choice Sweet & Tangy BBQ Seasoned Chicken; 1 meal = 470 mg

How much Sodium is in that?

Green Giant Frozen Corn Nibblers ; 1 small ear = 0 mg Green Giant Canned Whole Kernel Sweet Corn; cup = 330 mg

How much Sodium is in that?

Del Monte Canned Cut Green Beans; cup = 340 mg

Del Monte Canned Cut Green Beans, 50% Less Salt; cup = 170 mg

Del Monte Canned Cut Green Beans, No Salt Added; cup = 10 mg

How much Sodium is in that?

Wawa Ham Classic Hoagie (10) = 2020 mg

Wawa Italian Classic Hoagie (10) = 2320 mg

Wawa Oven Roasted Turkey Classic Hoagie (10) = 1920 mg Junior Hoagie (4) = 740 mg

Wawa Tuna Junior Hoagie (4) = 690 mg

What are Good Choices?

Dried beans; dried, fresh or frozen peas; plain rice; dried lentils; or whole wheat pasta (cooked without salt) Fruits (fresh, frozen, or canned in juice avoid heavy syrup) fresh meats, poultry, and fish milk vegetables (fresh and frozen without sauces) yogurt