Low Sodium Diets and Dates
- All About Dates Dates in Diet
- November 2, 2021
- 22 minutes read
Diet Description
A low sodium diet is very similar to a standard, healthy diet. It only includes the additional goal of lowering the amount of sodium in the diet. The target for a low-sodium diet is having no more than 2,000 mg of sodium a day. This modified amount isn’t much lower than the daily intake recommendation. For the general population, they must take in about 2,300 mg sodium. This amount is the equivalent of a teaspoon of salt.
Sodium is a mineral naturally found in some foods. However, it is mostly added to food during cooking or processing. The sodium in American diets comes mostly from processed foods and table salt. This mineral is needed to regulate the fluid balance in the body. It also aids in muscle and nerve function. While it is important to get enough sodium in the diet, too much can be very harmful to your health.
There are many helpful guidelines for following a low-sodium diet. The first one is recognizing sources of sodium in your diet. Reading the nutrition facts label and ingredients on all packaged goods is a good start. It will bring awareness to which foods in your diet are high in sodium. Additionally, you will begin to recognize and avoid high salt ingredients that are added to foods. These include broth, brine, or monosodium glutamate (MSG). Eliminating these foods and reducing the amount of salt you’re adding to foods are keys to success.
Diet Purpose
There are various reasons why someone may need to follow a low sodium diet. First, we need to understand the relationship between sodium, the fluid in the body, and the parts of the body affected. The kidneys are responsible for removing sodium from the body. However, if there is too much in the diet, they get overwhelmed and can’t get rid of all of it. The extra sodium is then sent into the blood. This is where it attracts water and increases the blood volume leading to high blood pressure.
When blood pressure is high, the heart is working harder to pump blood around the body. Over a long period of time, a diet high in sodium can become very dangerous. It may eventually result in heart disease or stroke. Lowering the amount of sodium in the diet is essential to lowering blood pressure. This will also help prevent other health concerns.
The amount of sodium in the diet also affects the kidneys. Eating a lot of salt can increase your chance of getting a kidney stone down the road. People diagnosed with kidney disease will also need to follow a low sodium diet. This must be done in addition to other dietary changes. Their kidneys are damaged and unable to properly filter sodium. Therefore, it is important to lower the amount of sodium in the diet to prevent high blood pressure.
Dates in a Low-Cholesterol Diet
Dates are naturally sodium-free. This makes them a healthy addition to a low sodium diet. This fruit is a good source of fiber. It also doesn’t contain any fats or cholesterol. Try using dates in a recipe next time you’re cooking at home.
What to Eat
Once you’ve started reading the nutrition facts labels, you’ll realize that a lot of foods are high in sodium. Don’t fret – there are plenty of foods that meet low sodium requirements and still taste good, too. With the help of these tips and a low sodium foods list, you’ll be off to a good start.
1. Find Low Salt or Reduced Sodium Replacements
Just because something doesn’t taste salty, doesn’t mean it is low sodium! This rule also applies to food claims found on packaged goods. According to the FDA, packaged foods can use these claims based on the amount of sodium it has. This includes:
LABEL CLAIM |
MEANING |
Salt/Sodium Free |
less than 5 mg sodium per serving |
Very Low Sodium |
less than 35 mg sodium per serving |
Low Sodium |
less than 140 mg sodium per serving |
No Salt Added or Unsalted |
no added sodium, but there may be naturally-occurring sodium |
Reduced Sodium |
at least 25% less sodium added than original product |
Light in Sodium or Lightly Salted |
at least 50% less sodium added than original product |
Take caution with the ‘reduced’ and ‘light in sodium’ labels. They are only compared to the original product. This means they may still have high amounts of salt in these products. Aim to choose foods that are low sodium, or less than 140 mg per serving.
2. Replace Salt with Seasonings
Cooking foods without added salt doesn’t mean it has to be bland! Making a habit of planning meals at home can greatly reduce the amount of sodium you’re eating. Use fresh herbs, spices, or a salt substitute to season foods instead of salt. Once you’re stocked up on spices, it will be even easier to follow recipes on the fly without making a trip to the store.
Here is a list of some flavorful seasonings to replace salt:
- Onion
- Garlic
- Parsley
- Basil
- Dry Mustard
- Oregano
- Thyme
- Rosemary
3. Other Foods to Eat
There are so many foods to enjoy on a low sodium diet. Give yourself time to try new foods and adjust to a low sodium diet. You’ll find your taste buds will learn to like foods with less salt over time.
Low Sodium Foods to Eat |
|
Protein |
Any fresh or frozen meat or fish, no salt added Eggs and egg substitutes Low-sodium peanut butter Dry peas and beans (not canned) Low-sodium canned fish Drained or water packed canned fish or poultry Unflavored tofu |
Dairy |
Some milks and milk products (yogurt, ice cream) Plant-based milks Low-sodium cheeses, cream cheese, ricotta cheese and mozzarella |
Grains |
Low sodium breads All rice and pasta, no adding salt when cooking Low-sodium corn and flour tortillas and noodles Low-sodium crackers or tortilla chips Unsalted popcorn, chips and pretzels |
Fruit & Vegetables |
Fresh and frozen vegetables without sauces Low-sodium canned vegetables, sauces and juices Fresh potatoes Low-salt tomato or V-8 juice. Most fresh, frozen, dried and canned fruit |
What to Avoid
Eating Out
Food from take-out or at restaurants is typically very high in sodium. This is especially true for fast food. Even ready-to-eat packaged meals at healthy grocery stores may be full of sodium. Limiting the amount you’re eating out will greatly impact the amount of sodium in your diet. Additionally, here’s a list of foods to steer clear of at the grocery store:
High Sodium Foods to Avoid | |
Protein | Smoked or cured meat, such as bacon, sausages, and ham Salted or canned meat, fish or poultry, like sardines and anchovies Cold cuts or deli meats Pre-made tofu in sauce or marinade Frozen plant-based patties Salted nuts |
Dairy | Some milks and milk products (yogurt, ice cream) Most cheeses, including pre-sliced |
Grains | Breads, bagels, tortillas, noodles Frozen breaded dinners, such as burritos and pizza Salted chips, crackers, pretzels, and popcorn |
Fruit & Vegetables | Fresh and frozen vegetables with sauces Canned vegetables, sauces and juices Salted french fries |
Miscellaneous | Frozen and canned, ready-to-eat meals Soup Salted candies Desserts Sauces, dips, and salad dressings Salted coffee beverages |
Conclusion
A low sodium diet helps reduce blood pressure and prevent other negative health outcomes. Identifying and removing high sodium foods from your diet is a great way to get started. Additionally, we recommend cooking at home and replacing salt with herbs and spices. Try focusing on having no more than 2,000 mg of sodium a day. This diet can still include a variety of flavorful foods, including dates.