Your Sodium Intake

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I found this helpful as I am trying to attempt to cut my sodium intake.

Where is Sodium Found?
Many people think of salt and sodium as being the same thing, but they are not. Table salt is 40 percent sodium and 60 percent chloride. It is the sodium portion of salt that is important to people concerned about high blood pressure. Keep in mind that some sodium is naturally present in most foods.

Salt-Sodium Conversions
The link between salt and sodium may be a little hard to understand at first. If you remember that one teaspoon of salt provides 2,000 milligrams of sodium, however, you can estimate the amount of sodium that you add to foods during cooking and preparation, or even at the table.

1/4 tsp. salt = 500 mg sodium
1/2 tsp. salt = 1,000 mg sodium
3/4 tsp. salt = 1,500 mg sodium
1 tsp. salt = 2,000 mg sodium

The following terms describe products that help reduce sodium intake:
• Sodium free = Less than 5 mg per serving.
• Very low sodium = 35 mg or less per serving. If the serving is 30 g or less or 2 tablespoons or less, per 50 g of the food.
• Low sodium = 140 mg or less per serving and, if the serving is 30 g or less or 2 tablespoons or less, per 50 g of the food.
• Reduced or Less Sodium = At least 25 percent less per serving than the reference food.

find foods that have less sodium and learn not only to enjoy the natural flavor of foods but to also season WITHOUT Salt.