Shake Your Salt Habit

Some say that salt is the favorite ingredient of Americans, and many have acquired a taste for a high salt diet. One way to cut back is to skip the table salt. However, most sodium in the diet comes from packaged, processed foods. Eating these foods less often can reduce your intake of sodium and can help lower your blood pressure or prevent HBP from developing in the first place.

In some people, sodium increases blood pressure because it holds excess fluid in the body, placing an added burden on the heart. If your blood pressure is 120/80 Hg or above, your doctor may recommend a low-salt diet or advise you to avoid salt altogether.

Aim to eat less than 2,300 mg of sodium per day. Some people – African Americans, middle-aged and older adults, and people with high blood pressure – need less than 1,500 mg per day.

Sodium chloride or table salt is approximately 40% sodium. Understand just how much sodium is in salt so you can take measures to control your intake.
   1/4 teaspoon salt = 600 mg sodium
   1/2 teaspoon salt = 1,200 mg sodium
   3/4 teaspoon salt = 1,800 mg sodium
   1 teaspoon salt = 2,300 mg sodium

Take the Sodium Quiz to see how much you know about how your sodium intake can impact your health.

This content is reviewed regularly. Last updated 10/19/2009.