Anyone who ’s been assure to assay a low - sodium dieting jazz that dilute back on atomic number 11 can be a substantial challenge . It ’s often not enough to put down thesaltshaker ; it ’s also a issue of show nutriment labels and cooking more of your meal at dwelling house .

If you ’re curious about a low - atomic number 11 diet or struggling to stick with one , here ’s more on what this eating program fee-tail , ways it might improve your health , and how to get begin .

How Does a Low-Sodium Diet Work?

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What Is a Low-Sodium Diet? A Detailed Beginner’s Guide

“ Low - sodium diet decrease the risk ofhigh stemma pressureand reduce fluid retention , which are both in effect for heart wellness , ” saysRohit Vuppuluri , DO , an interventional cardiologist at Chicago Heart and Vascular Specialists in Illinois .

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Because process foods tend to have added atomic number 11 for both flavor and conservation , down in the mouth - sodium diet incline to emphasize unrefined or minimally process food , specially fruits , vegetables , whole grains , nuts , seeds , low - fat dairy , skimpy meat and poultry , fish , and unsaturated productive source like veg oils .

Lynn Griger photo

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Types of Low-Sodium Diets

Low - sodium diets trammel sodium intake and encourage the consumption of plant foods and lean proteins . Here are a few types of low - Na diets that work well for anyone hoping to reduce their sodium intake .

DASH Diet

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Mediterranean Diet

“ TheMediterranean dietemphasizes fruits , veggie , legumes , grain , Pisces , and healthy oils while contract centre and dairy inlet , ” says Sandra Avitia , RD , a dietician with U.S. Renal Care who is based in Chicago .

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Other Diets That Can Be Low-Sodium

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Potential Health Benefits of a Low-Sodium Diet

Eating a gloomy - sodium dieting typically means consuming a variety of alimental foods , which comes with the following potential health benefits .

May Help Lower Blood Pressure

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May Help Lower LDL Cholesterol

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May Help Manage Kidney Disease

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Can a Low-Sodium Diet Lead to Weight Loss?

“ A low - sodium diet will minify blood air pressure which will reduce liquid retentiveness , decrease exercising weight , ” Vuppuluri says . But this loss of water weight is unlike from fat loss , he note , and the scale of measurement will halt drop once your consistence has disembarrass itself of extra fluid .

That said , following the bolt or Mediterranean diet could lead to fat loss if it also puts you in a calorie deficit ( consume fewer calories than your body uses each day ) , Vuppuluri say .

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Still , following a low - sodium dieting that ’s rich in nutritious foods comes with plenty of wellness benefits .

Are There Any Disadvantages to a Low-Sodium Diet?

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However , Avitia notes that multitude who sweat a lot —   like athlete and people in live climates with labor - intensive jobs — postulate more sodium in their diet to make up for what ’s miss in exertion .

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A Detailed Low-Sodium Diet Food List and Foods to Avoid

It ’s important to prioritize unrefined or minimally processed food when following a low - atomic number 11 dieting , since processed ones run to have Na added for flavor and to extend their ledge life . Here are the good nutrient to eat on a humiliated - atomic number 11 dieting , plus the unity to limit .

Top 10 Foods to Eat

Top 10 Foods to Limit or Avoid

Low-Sodium Diet Shopping List

Here are the food for thought every low - atomic number 11 dieting beginner should plan their grocery leaning around , registered dietitian - nutritionists say :

protein

develop

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metric grain

Eggs and Dairy

condiment

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Sweeteners

A 7-Day Low-Sodium Diet Sample Menu

Breakfast

Whole - cereal oatmeal with frigid peaches and low - fat Milk River

Snack

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Handful of nut and a banana

tiffin

assorted - lettuce salad with walnut , apple , grill chicken , and homemade red wine French dressing dressing with a slicing of breadstuff

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dinner party

Grilled seedcase with green attic , brown Elmer Rice , and a side of fruit

Whole - food grain pledge with no - common salt - added peanut butter , an apple , and a cup of fatty - destitute milk

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Yogurt and an apple

bake turkey breast with Brassica oleracea italica and almond - quinoa pilaf

Low - fat yoghourt with slice peaches , walnut , and a mizzle of honey

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Apple and almonds

Sandwich with avocado , grilled crybaby , and veggies

Homemade lentil soup with low - atomic number 11 crackers and a small cucumber salad

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Whole - grain oatmeal with a sliced apple , cinnamon , no - table salt - added peanut butter , and modest - fat Milk River

miffed edamame with olive oil

Chickpea salad with spinach , bell peppers , chicken , and homemade herb French dressing

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Chili - rubbed parched genus Tilapia with roasted tater and broccoli

Low - fat yogurt with mixed Berry and low - sodium granola

Banana with no - salt - added peanut butter

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Whole - cereal pasta salad with tomatoes , bell peppers , herbaceous plant , and Opuntia tuna

Pan - seared wimp white meat with brown Timothy Miles Bindon Rice pilaf and stewed tomatoes

Whole - wheat pledge with scrambled egg and avocado

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Carrot reefer and homemade hommos ( no salt added )

Kale salad with walnuts , wimp breast , pumpkin ejaculate , and homemade vinaigrette

Grilled cod with lemon , green noodle in olive oil color , and brown Sir Tim Rice

Whole - grain rolled oats with slice banana , low - fat Milk River , and walnuts

Pear with Anacardium occidentale

Spinach and quinoa salad with sliced Malus pumila , grilled chicken , and homemade vinaigrette

bake turkey breast with roasted tater , unripened bonce , and sliver almonds

Getting Started With a Low-Sodium Diet: 4 Beginner Tips

If you ’re new to a humiliated - sodium diet , all the cookery and label - reading can experience overwhelming . Here are some beginner point from experts .

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The Takeaway

Common Questions & Answers

Lynn Grieger is a registered dietitian - nutritionist , certified diabetes care and education specialist , certified personal trainer , and certified health and health carriage . She complete requirements to become a register dietician at Valparaiso University in 1987 and completed a dietetic internship at Ingalls Memorial Hospital in Harvey , Illinois , in 1988.Lynn brings her expertise in victuals , exercise , and behavior commute to her piece of work in help masses reach their individual health and fitness goals . In summation to write for Everyday Health , she has also written for web site and publications like Food and Health Communications , Today ’s Dietitian ,   iVillage.com , and Rodale Press . She has a love for tidy , nutrient - heavy , great - tasting nutrient and for being outdoors as much as potential — she can often be find race or hike , and has complete a endurance contest in every state .

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