Three Surprising Sodium Sources
by Lisa Nelson RD
Current recommendations are to limit your sodium intake to 2,300 mg per day or less. The new 2010 Dietary Guidelines will be released this year and it looks like sodium recommendations are going to be reduced even further to 1,500 mg per day for all Americans – not just those with high blood pressure!
Skepticism Related to New Guidelines
The likelihood of the general population paying attention to a new reduced sodium guideline is slim. Should we reduce the guidelines to 1,500 mg per day when few met the goal of less than 2,300 mg per day?
Surprising Sodium Sources
Hidden sources of sodium tend to be the problem for most individuals. Let’s cover the top three surprising sodium sources:
1. Granola Bars
One bar typically contains 65-80 mg of sodium. Be vigilant reading food labels! Nature Valley Oats ’n Honey contains 160 mg per serving.
2. Diet Ice Tea
Diet ice tea – should be perfectly healthy right? Frequently contains 80 mg per serving and one bottle contains two servings.
3. Flour Tortillas
Reduce sodium by selecting corn tortillas. One 8-inch Mission flour tortilla contains 350 mg of sodium. One 6-inch Mission white corn tortilla contains 10 mg sodium, plus three grams of dietary fiber versus the one gram in the flour tortilla.
Be sure to sign up for the free e-course "7 Natural Ways to Lower Blood Pressure" provided by Real Living Nutrition Services dietitian Lisa Nelson at
http://lowerbloodpressurewithlisa.com.
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