Salt-Restricted Diets

Sodium plays many important roles in the body, such as regulating fluid balance. If you have high blood pressure or a medical condition that causes fluid buildup, like congestive heart failure, eating too much sodium can have serious consequences. Plenty of low-sodium foods exist so you will not be lacking for choices, but if you eat a typical Western diet packed with processed foods, it could prove challenging. Working with a dietitian or other nutrition-oriented professional can help you design a low-sodium eating plan.

Ideal Sodium Intake

The amount of salt you should include in your diet will depend on why you need to limit it. If your reasons for reducing sodium stem from a condition like congestive heart failure, kidney failure or liver disease, the amount of salt you can safely eat will depend on the severity of your condition. While the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends that the average person limit salt consumption to 2,300 mg or less, it suggests restricting intake to less than 1,500 mg if you already have high blood pressure, are over age 51, are African American or if you have kidney disease or diabetes.

DASH Diet

The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension diet, or DASH diet, was created by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI). Research, which involved participants with and without hypertension, found this eating plan significantly lowered blood pressure. This diet, however, does not only focus on lowering blood pressure through a reduction in sodium. It also focuses on eating foods rich in nutrients like calcium, potassium and magnesium, adequate amounts of which have been shown to keep blood pressure under control. This diet has also been shown to reduce weight, which is vital for controlling blood pressure. The DASH diet calls for the same limits for sodium as the USDA . Some other general guidelines include limiting meat and poultry to 6 oz. or less daily, eating low-fat dairy and eating more fruits and vegetables. The NHLBI's website offers a detailed breakdown of the diet based on different daily caloric needs.

Guidance of Food Choices

Reducing your intake of sodium goes way beyond not salting your food. The majority of sodium you consume comes from packaged and processed foods -- it enhances flavor and acts as a preservative. Reducing your intake of these foods and focusing on natural foods like fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds and grains will help you drastically reduce your sodium intake without the need to obsessively monitor your intake; a serving of many of these types of foods typically has less than 10 mg of sodium per serving. Reading food labels becomes imperative when watching your salt consumption. The Cleveland Clinic recommends looking for items than contain less than 140 mg per serving.

Salt Substitutes

Experiment with herbs, spices and other flavorings to improve the taste of your food. Options include garlic, onion powder, garlic powder, rosemary, lemon pepper, dill and parsley. Sprinkle fresh lemon juice on vegetables and marinate meats and fish in herbs and spices beforehand to enhance the flavor. Avoid items like garlic salt, onion salt and celery salt; just like regular salt, they contain large amounts of sodium.