Sodium Intake

How much sodium are you consuming per day? How can you know for sure? The answer is you have to research all of the foods you’re eating in order to know. Nutrition Labels are a very helpful tool when it comes to researching what is in the foods we’re eating. The FDA Food and Drug Administration requires all packaged foods and beverages contain a nutrition label. Understanding what the daily recommendations are for sodium intake is very important in maintaining good health.

If Your Package Reads:

• Salt/Sodium-Free means the product has less than 5mg of sodium per serving
• Very Low Sodium means the product has 35mg of sodium or less per serving
• Low Sodium means the product has 140mg of sodium or less per serving
• Reduced Sodium means the product has at least 25% less sodium that the regular product
• Light in Sodium or Lightly Salted means the product has at least 50% less sodium than the regular product
• No Salt Added or Unsalted means no salt was added to the product during processing but these products may not be salt/sodium free unless stated.

Eating Out
Monitoring your sodium intake doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the occasional outing to your favorite restaurants. When it comes to reducing the amount of sodium in your diet there are many ways you can help to decrease the amount you consume while in a restaurant.

1. Ask for your food to be prepared with little or no salt.
2. Taste your food before adding more salt to it.
3. Eat smaller portions.
4. Drink water
5. Pass on the chips and salsa

Attend one of the FREE exercise programs offered by the City of Los Fresnos at Los Fresnos Memorial Park.

For more information contact Christine De La Rosa, Community Health Worker at 956-312-1406 or email at [email protected] or Los Fresnos City Hall at 956-233-5768.