1.
Purpose of Sodium
in the Body.
A.
Regulation
of body fluids.
B.
Maintenance
of ph balance.
C.
Regulation
of body functions such as muscle performance, transmission of nerve messages,
and heart action.
2.
Types of
Sodium-restricted Diets
A.
Mild:
3-5 grams of sodium per day.
B.
Moderate:
1000 milligrams of sodium per day.
C.
Strict:
500 milligrams of sodium per day.
3.
Complications of
Sodium Imbalances
A.
Hypertension.
B.
Edema.
C.
Heart
problems.
D.
Stroke.
E.
Kidney
failure.
A.
Use
salt substitute if permitted by physician. (Potassium salt substitutes can also
be dangerous.)
B.
Season
food with spices such as lemon, parsley, cinnamon, etc.
C.
Read
labels carefully for sodium content.
i.
Check
for salt, sodium, or soda and other combinations:
A.
monosodium
glutamate
B.
sodium
benzoate
C.
sodium
caseinate
D.
sodium
citrate
E.
sodium
nitrate
F.
sodium
phosphate
G.
sodium
propinate
H.
sodium
saccharin
ii.
Avoid
or limit foods that have labels such as self-rising, cured, or brined.
D.
Check
drinking water for content of sodium.
E.
Check
sodium content of medicines such as cough medicine, alkalizes, pain remedies,
laxatives, antacids, etc.
F.
Buy
products advertised as low in sodium.
G.
Look
for reduced-salt items or no-salt-added items.
H.
Use
sodium substitutes that are blends of herbs and spices.
I.
Cook
without adding salt.
J.
Avoid
or limit highly processed and seasoned foods in fast food restaurants.
K.
Use
oil and vinegar dressings instead of prepared salad dressings.
L.
Avoid
or limit highly processed foods and convenience foods, which are usually high
in sodium.
M.
Buy
low-sodium cheese.
5.
High-Sodium Foods
(one teaspoon of salt contains about 2,000 mg of sodium)
A.
Milk
and milk products: Avoid or limit buttermilk, nonfat dry milk, and most
cheeses.
B.
Vegetables:
Avoid or limit sauerkraut (one cup contains 1554 mg) beets, spinach, and
mushrooms.
C.
Fruits:
Avoid or limit glazed fruits and maraschino cherries.
D.
Fats:
Avoid or limit margarine, salad dressing, and mayonnaise.
E.
Breads
and Cereals: Avoid or limit all cereals except Puffed Rice, Puffed Wheat, and
Shredded Wheat.
F.
Meats:
Avoid or limit salty or smoked meats, bologna, canned or chipped beef,
frankfurters, luncheon meats, pork, sausage, or tongue.
G.
Avoid
or limit canned and instant soups.
H.
Avoid
or limit snacks such as potato chips, pretzels, salted nuts, popcorn, crackers,
etc.
I.
Avoid
or limit seasonings such as celery salt, onion salt, garlic salt, catsup, soy
sauce, pickles, hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, meat extracts, prepared
mustard, bouillon cubes.