5 Easy Ways To Reduce Sodium Intake From Your Diet To Manage Blood Pressure Levels

Easy Ways To Reduce Sodium Intake: Can you imagine your food without salt? Of course, salt is a necessary ingredient in our everyday recipes, but consuming too much sodium can have extreme health effects. The amounts of sodium in our food can have a direct impact on our overall health. Therefore, reducing sodium intake is one of the most effective ways to improve your health by managing your blood pressure levels. The right amounts of salt in your diet can help avert numerous cardiovascular diseases and other significant health problems. But the question is, how to reduce salt intake when it is an important ingredient of any recipe? Here are some easy ways in which you can reduce your daily sodium intake and manage your blood pressure levels.

Easy Ways To Reduce Sodium Intake

Avoid Salty Foods

It is important to avoid processed or excessive salty foods to maintain your blood pressure. Always choose healthy and fresh foods such as green vegetables, fruits, pulses and others over processed foods. Prepare your meals at home using fresh food items and add a minimum amount of salt to your recipes.

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Use More Herbs And Spices

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), boost flavour with herbs, spices, lemon, lime, vinegar, or salt-free seasoning blends instead of salt or salty seasonings like soy sauce, spice blends, or soup mixes. Start by cutting salt in half and work your way toward healthy substitutes.

Check Food Labels

Easy Ways To Reduce Sodium Intake (Image Credits: Canva)

Start reading the food labels every time you shop for something from outside. The amount of sodium content is always listed on the package. By using this strategy, you can easily avoid foods that contain high amounts of salt from your diet.

Avoid Processed Foods

Another simple way to reduce sodium from your diet is by cutting down on processed foods and choosing minimally processed foods. Avoid processed meats such as ham, bacon, sausages, luncheon, canned corned beef and smoked chicken as they are high in salt. Instead, include low-processed foods such as fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, meats and plain yoghurt.

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Keep Salt Off The Table

Your regular sausages such as tomato sauce, mustard, barbeque sauce, chutneys and soy sauces, all contain certain amounts of salt that might be harmful to the body. Avoid exposing yourself and your family to salt and salty foods. If possible keep the salt at a palace where your kids find it difficult to reach.

(Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis or treatment.)