Eating less salt
Too much salt can cause your body to retain water, which can create an added burden on your heart.
Too much salt can cause your body to retain water, which can create an added burden on your heart.
What’s your salt limit?
Your doctor may give you a salt limit measured in milligrams (mg) of sodium per day. Ordinary table salt is 40% sodium, which equals less than one teaspoon of salt a day. Try using spices and herbs instead of salt to give your food more flavor.
Embrace a low-salt diet
When your doctor asks you to adopt a low-salt diet, it may mean changing a lifetime of eating habits. Start with this collection of appetizing recipes.
At the supermarket, take a few seconds to read the nutrition labels.
Avoid packaged and prepared foods, like frozen dinners—as well as convenient grab-and-go standbys high in salt, like:
Bread, rolls, bagels
Cold cuts and cured meats
Pizza
Soup
Sandwiches
Poultry
Even if you’re not adding salt to your food, sodium has a way of sneaking into your diet. Takeout food, processed foods, even “low-calorie” meals may contain too much salt. Try using spices and herbs to give your food a little flavor.
Healthy eating with Heart Failure is about eating less of the foods that are bad for your heart, and more of the important nutrients, such as these.
*Talk to your doctor about whether you’re getting the right nutrition and whether you should get advice from a dietitian or nutritionist.
For suggestions on eating healthier and a useful guide on calculating salt content, register for the Keep It Pumping resource program, including your free Heart Failure Handbook.