Understanding the Low Sodium Diet, According to A Registered Dietitian Nutritionist

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is a Low-Sodium Diet?How Much Sodium Is in a Low-Sodium Diet?Benefits of a Low-Sodium DietGuidelines for Starting a Low-Sodium DietTips for Reducing Sodium IntakeLow-Sodium Foods to TryHigh-Sodium Foods to Limit or AvoidPotential Side Effects and Risks

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

What Is a Low-Sodium Diet?

How Much Sodium Is in a Low-Sodium Diet?

Benefits of a Low-Sodium Diet

Guidelines for Starting a Low-Sodium Diet

Tips for Reducing Sodium Intake

Low-Sodium Foods to Try

High-Sodium Foods to Limit or Avoid

Potential Side Effects and Risks

Sodium is a mineral and electrolyte that your body needs for several important functions. However, many Americans consume too much, which can be detrimental to health.

A low sodium diet is often recommended for people with certain health conditions, such as high blood pressure or kidney disease.

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A low-sodium diet is a specialty diet that limits how much sodium you consume daily.

It can often help manage health issues like high blood pressure,heart disease, and kidney disease.

Your body needs sodium for fluid balance and nerve and muscle function.In foods, sodium helps enhance flavors and textures and is also used for preservation.

However, many people consume more sodium than they should.

Sodium is highly prevalent in processed foods, such as packaged snacks, deli meats, condiments, salad dressings, and breads. On a low-sodium diet, you eat fewer processed foods and more minimally processed or fresh foods, like fruits, vegetables, and fresh meats.

Americans consume an average of 2,000 to 5,000 milligrams (mg) of sodium per day, which is well above the recommended intake.

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends that adults consume no more than 2,300 mg of sodium per day.The percent daily value (%DV) for sodium is also 2,300 mg per day.

For some people on a low-sodium diet, a maximum daily sodium intake of 2,300 mg may be beneficial. However, some may need to cut their daily sodium intake to no more than 1,500 mg.

A healthcare provider can help you determine the right sodium goals for your specific health needs. For example, a person with veryhigh blood pressure(hypertension) may need to reduce their sodium intake further than a person with moderately high blood pressure.

A low-sodium diet has many potential health benefits and may help treat various health conditions.

You’ll need to take a few steps to start a low-sodium diet.

There is more than one way to reduce sodium intake, and following a few simple tips can help you get started.

Sodium may be a popular food ingredient, but many delicious foods contain little to no sodium. These include the following:

A Note on Oat MilkSpecific commercial oat milk brands may contain added phosphorus in the form of phosphate additives. If you have kidney disease and are on a low-sodium diet, you’ll likely need to monitor your phosphorous intake.Aim for between 800 to 1,000 mg/day with kidney disease. Always check the ingredient list and check with your provider.

A Note on Oat Milk

Specific commercial oat milk brands may contain added phosphorus in the form of phosphate additives. If you have kidney disease and are on a low-sodium diet, you’ll likely need to monitor your phosphorous intake.Aim for between 800 to 1,000 mg/day with kidney disease. Always check the ingredient list and check with your provider.

Limiting or avoiding high-sodium foods is just as crucial as choosing low-sodium foods when on a low-sodium diet. Foods that are often high in sodium include the following:

Although a low-sodium diet is generally considered safe, some potential risks are associated with it, including:

Limiting your sodium intake too much, especially if you’re healthy, may increase your risk of adverse events. Talk with a healthcare provider to learn how to limit sodium safely if necessary.

Summary

Sodium is an electrolyte and an essential nutrient that your body needs to perform specific tasks. However, consuming too much sodium may cause problems.

Your healthcare provider may recommend a low-sodium diet if you have certain health conditions, such as high blood pressure or kidney disease.

There are many ways to reduce your sodium intake. In general, ultra-processed foods are high in sodium, and unprocessed or minimally processed foods are lower in sodium.

A low-sodium diet has some potential downsides. If it has been recommended to you, talk with a healthcare provider about how to follow it safely.

21 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Sodium in your diet.Tremblay A, Gagné MP, Pérusse L, et al.Sodium and human health: what can be done to improve sodium balance beyond food processing?Nutrients. 2024;16(8):1199. doi:10.3390/nu16081199MedlinePlus.Low-salt diet.U.S. Department of Agriculture.2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.DASH eating plan.Gupta DK, Lewis CE, Varady KA, et al.Effect of dietary sodium on blood pressure: a crossover trial.JAMA.2023;330(23):2258–2266. doi:10.1001/jama.2023.23651Hogas M, Statescu C, Padurariu M, et al.Salt, not always a cardiovascular enemy? A mini-review and modern perspective.Medicina (Kaunas). 2022;58(9):1175. doi:10.3390/medicina58091175Shi H, Su X, Li C, et al.Effect of a low-salt diet on chronic kidney disease outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis.BMJ Open. 2022;12(1):e050843. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2021-050843Ming L, Wang D, Zhu Y.Association of sodium intake with diabetes in adults without hypertension: evidence from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2009-2018.Front Public Health. 2023;11:1118364. doi:10.3389/fpubh.2023.1118364Gardener H, Rundek T, Wright CB, et al.Dietary sodium and risk of stroke in the Northern Manhattan study.Stroke. 2012;43(5):1200-1205. doi:10.1161/STROKEAHA.111.641043Carbone L, Johnson KC, Huang Y, et al.Sodium intake and osteoporosis. findings from the Women’s Health Initiative.J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2016;101(4):1414-1421. doi:10.1210/jc.2015-4017Chrysohoou C, Mantzouranis E, Dimitroglou Y, et al.Fluid and salt balance and the role of nutrition in heart failure.Nutrients. 2022;14(7):1386. doi:10.3390/nu14071386Kang HJ, Jun DW, Lee SM, et al.Low salt and low calorie diet does not reduce more body fat than same calorie diet: a randomized controlled study.Oncotarget. 2018;9(9):8521-8530. doi:10.18632/oncotarget.23959Martínez Steele E, Popkin BM, Swinburn B, Monteiro CA.The share of ultra-processed foods and the overall nutritional quality of diets in the US: evidence from a nationally representative cross-sectional study.Popul Health Metr. 2017;15(1):6. doi:10.1186/s12963-017-0119-3Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion.Lower-sodium foods: shopping list.National Kidney Foundation.How to be a phosphorous detective.Ahmed M, Ng AP, Christoforou A, Mulligan C, L’Abbé MR.Top sodium food sources in the American diet-using National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.Nutrients. 2023;15(4):831. doi:10.3390/nu15040831MedlinePlus.Low blood sodium.Mannheimer B, Falhammar H, Calissendorff J, et al.Time-dependent association between selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and hospitalization due to hyponatremia.J Psychopharmacol. 2021;35(8):928-933. doi:10.1177/02698811211001082DiNicolantonio JJ, O’Keefe JH.Sodium restriction and insulin resistance: a review of 23 clinical trials.JMH.2023;6(1). doi:10.4102/jir.v6i1.78Rush TM, Kritz-Silverstein D, Laughlin GA, et al.Association between dietary sodium intake and cognitive function in older adults.J Nutr Health Aging. 2017;21(3):276-283. doi:10.1007/s12603-016-0766-2

21 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Sodium in your diet.Tremblay A, Gagné MP, Pérusse L, et al.Sodium and human health: what can be done to improve sodium balance beyond food processing?Nutrients. 2024;16(8):1199. doi:10.3390/nu16081199MedlinePlus.Low-salt diet.U.S. Department of Agriculture.2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.DASH eating plan.Gupta DK, Lewis CE, Varady KA, et al.Effect of dietary sodium on blood pressure: a crossover trial.JAMA.2023;330(23):2258–2266. doi:10.1001/jama.2023.23651Hogas M, Statescu C, Padurariu M, et al.Salt, not always a cardiovascular enemy? A mini-review and modern perspective.Medicina (Kaunas). 2022;58(9):1175. doi:10.3390/medicina58091175Shi H, Su X, Li C, et al.Effect of a low-salt diet on chronic kidney disease outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis.BMJ Open. 2022;12(1):e050843. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2021-050843Ming L, Wang D, Zhu Y.Association of sodium intake with diabetes in adults without hypertension: evidence from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2009-2018.Front Public Health. 2023;11:1118364. doi:10.3389/fpubh.2023.1118364Gardener H, Rundek T, Wright CB, et al.Dietary sodium and risk of stroke in the Northern Manhattan study.Stroke. 2012;43(5):1200-1205. doi:10.1161/STROKEAHA.111.641043Carbone L, Johnson KC, Huang Y, et al.Sodium intake and osteoporosis. findings from the Women’s Health Initiative.J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2016;101(4):1414-1421. doi:10.1210/jc.2015-4017Chrysohoou C, Mantzouranis E, Dimitroglou Y, et al.Fluid and salt balance and the role of nutrition in heart failure.Nutrients. 2022;14(7):1386. doi:10.3390/nu14071386Kang HJ, Jun DW, Lee SM, et al.Low salt and low calorie diet does not reduce more body fat than same calorie diet: a randomized controlled study.Oncotarget. 2018;9(9):8521-8530. doi:10.18632/oncotarget.23959Martínez Steele E, Popkin BM, Swinburn B, Monteiro CA.The share of ultra-processed foods and the overall nutritional quality of diets in the US: evidence from a nationally representative cross-sectional study.Popul Health Metr. 2017;15(1):6. doi:10.1186/s12963-017-0119-3Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion.Lower-sodium foods: shopping list.National Kidney Foundation.How to be a phosphorous detective.Ahmed M, Ng AP, Christoforou A, Mulligan C, L’Abbé MR.Top sodium food sources in the American diet-using National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.Nutrients. 2023;15(4):831. doi:10.3390/nu15040831MedlinePlus.Low blood sodium.Mannheimer B, Falhammar H, Calissendorff J, et al.Time-dependent association between selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and hospitalization due to hyponatremia.J Psychopharmacol. 2021;35(8):928-933. doi:10.1177/02698811211001082DiNicolantonio JJ, O’Keefe JH.Sodium restriction and insulin resistance: a review of 23 clinical trials.JMH.2023;6(1). doi:10.4102/jir.v6i1.78Rush TM, Kritz-Silverstein D, Laughlin GA, et al.Association between dietary sodium intake and cognitive function in older adults.J Nutr Health Aging. 2017;21(3):276-283. doi:10.1007/s12603-016-0766-2

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Sodium in your diet.Tremblay A, Gagné MP, Pérusse L, et al.Sodium and human health: what can be done to improve sodium balance beyond food processing?Nutrients. 2024;16(8):1199. doi:10.3390/nu16081199MedlinePlus.Low-salt diet.U.S. Department of Agriculture.2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.DASH eating plan.Gupta DK, Lewis CE, Varady KA, et al.Effect of dietary sodium on blood pressure: a crossover trial.JAMA.2023;330(23):2258–2266. doi:10.1001/jama.2023.23651Hogas M, Statescu C, Padurariu M, et al.Salt, not always a cardiovascular enemy? A mini-review and modern perspective.Medicina (Kaunas). 2022;58(9):1175. doi:10.3390/medicina58091175Shi H, Su X, Li C, et al.Effect of a low-salt diet on chronic kidney disease outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis.BMJ Open. 2022;12(1):e050843. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2021-050843Ming L, Wang D, Zhu Y.Association of sodium intake with diabetes in adults without hypertension: evidence from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2009-2018.Front Public Health. 2023;11:1118364. doi:10.3389/fpubh.2023.1118364Gardener H, Rundek T, Wright CB, et al.Dietary sodium and risk of stroke in the Northern Manhattan study.Stroke. 2012;43(5):1200-1205. doi:10.1161/STROKEAHA.111.641043Carbone L, Johnson KC, Huang Y, et al.Sodium intake and osteoporosis. findings from the Women’s Health Initiative.J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2016;101(4):1414-1421. doi:10.1210/jc.2015-4017Chrysohoou C, Mantzouranis E, Dimitroglou Y, et al.Fluid and salt balance and the role of nutrition in heart failure.Nutrients. 2022;14(7):1386. doi:10.3390/nu14071386Kang HJ, Jun DW, Lee SM, et al.Low salt and low calorie diet does not reduce more body fat than same calorie diet: a randomized controlled study.Oncotarget. 2018;9(9):8521-8530. doi:10.18632/oncotarget.23959Martínez Steele E, Popkin BM, Swinburn B, Monteiro CA.The share of ultra-processed foods and the overall nutritional quality of diets in the US: evidence from a nationally representative cross-sectional study.Popul Health Metr. 2017;15(1):6. doi:10.1186/s12963-017-0119-3Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion.Lower-sodium foods: shopping list.National Kidney Foundation.How to be a phosphorous detective.Ahmed M, Ng AP, Christoforou A, Mulligan C, L’Abbé MR.Top sodium food sources in the American diet-using National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.Nutrients. 2023;15(4):831. doi:10.3390/nu15040831MedlinePlus.Low blood sodium.Mannheimer B, Falhammar H, Calissendorff J, et al.Time-dependent association between selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and hospitalization due to hyponatremia.J Psychopharmacol. 2021;35(8):928-933. doi:10.1177/02698811211001082DiNicolantonio JJ, O’Keefe JH.Sodium restriction and insulin resistance: a review of 23 clinical trials.JMH.2023;6(1). doi:10.4102/jir.v6i1.78Rush TM, Kritz-Silverstein D, Laughlin GA, et al.Association between dietary sodium intake and cognitive function in older adults.J Nutr Health Aging. 2017;21(3):276-283. doi:10.1007/s12603-016-0766-2

U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Sodium in your diet.

Tremblay A, Gagné MP, Pérusse L, et al.Sodium and human health: what can be done to improve sodium balance beyond food processing?Nutrients. 2024;16(8):1199. doi:10.3390/nu16081199

MedlinePlus.Low-salt diet.

U.S. Department of Agriculture.2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.DASH eating plan.

Gupta DK, Lewis CE, Varady KA, et al.Effect of dietary sodium on blood pressure: a crossover trial.JAMA.2023;330(23):2258–2266. doi:10.1001/jama.2023.23651

Hogas M, Statescu C, Padurariu M, et al.Salt, not always a cardiovascular enemy? A mini-review and modern perspective.Medicina (Kaunas). 2022;58(9):1175. doi:10.3390/medicina58091175

Shi H, Su X, Li C, et al.Effect of a low-salt diet on chronic kidney disease outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis.BMJ Open. 2022;12(1):e050843. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2021-050843

Ming L, Wang D, Zhu Y.Association of sodium intake with diabetes in adults without hypertension: evidence from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2009-2018.Front Public Health. 2023;11:1118364. doi:10.3389/fpubh.2023.1118364

Gardener H, Rundek T, Wright CB, et al.Dietary sodium and risk of stroke in the Northern Manhattan study.Stroke. 2012;43(5):1200-1205. doi:10.1161/STROKEAHA.111.641043

Carbone L, Johnson KC, Huang Y, et al.Sodium intake and osteoporosis. findings from the Women’s Health Initiative.J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2016;101(4):1414-1421. doi:10.1210/jc.2015-4017

Chrysohoou C, Mantzouranis E, Dimitroglou Y, et al.Fluid and salt balance and the role of nutrition in heart failure.Nutrients. 2022;14(7):1386. doi:10.3390/nu14071386

Kang HJ, Jun DW, Lee SM, et al.Low salt and low calorie diet does not reduce more body fat than same calorie diet: a randomized controlled study.Oncotarget. 2018;9(9):8521-8530. doi:10.18632/oncotarget.23959

Martínez Steele E, Popkin BM, Swinburn B, Monteiro CA.The share of ultra-processed foods and the overall nutritional quality of diets in the US: evidence from a nationally representative cross-sectional study.Popul Health Metr. 2017;15(1):6. doi:10.1186/s12963-017-0119-3

Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion.Lower-sodium foods: shopping list.

National Kidney Foundation.How to be a phosphorous detective.

Ahmed M, Ng AP, Christoforou A, Mulligan C, L’Abbé MR.Top sodium food sources in the American diet-using National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.Nutrients. 2023;15(4):831. doi:10.3390/nu15040831

MedlinePlus.Low blood sodium.

Mannheimer B, Falhammar H, Calissendorff J, et al.Time-dependent association between selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and hospitalization due to hyponatremia.J Psychopharmacol. 2021;35(8):928-933. doi:10.1177/02698811211001082

DiNicolantonio JJ, O’Keefe JH.Sodium restriction and insulin resistance: a review of 23 clinical trials.JMH.2023;6(1). doi:10.4102/jir.v6i1.78

Rush TM, Kritz-Silverstein D, Laughlin GA, et al.Association between dietary sodium intake and cognitive function in older adults.J Nutr Health Aging. 2017;21(3):276-283. doi:10.1007/s12603-016-0766-2

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