context: var s_context; s_context= s_context || {}; s_context['wb.modimp'] = 'vidfloat'; if(webmd.useragent && webmd.useragent.ua.type === 'desktop'){ webmd.ads2.disable Initial Load(); webmd.ads2.disable Ads Init = true; $(function() { webmd.p.pim.increment(); $('.responsive-video-container').insert After('.module-social-share-container'); require(['video2/1/responsive-player/video-loader'], function(video Loader) { video Loader.init({ autoplay: webmd.useragent.ua.type === 'desktop' && ! !s_sensitive, chron ID: $('article embeded_module[type=video][align=top]:eq(0)').attr('chronic_id'), continuous Play: true, cp Options: { flyout: true }, display Ads: true, mode: 'in-article', sticky: true }) }); }); } else { $(function(){ $('.responsive-video-container').remove(); }); } People with heart failure may improve their symptoms by reducing the amount of sodium in their diet. Sodium is a mineral found in many foods, especially salt. Eating too much salt causes the body to keep or retain too much water, worsening the fluid buildup that happens with heart failure. Following a low-salt diet helps keep high blood pressure and swelling (also called edema) under control. It can also make breathing easier if you have heart failure. You should have no more than 2,300 milligrams of sodium each day if you've got heart failure. Less than 1,500 mg a day is ideal. But how do you do that? Whether you're living with heart failure or not, it's important how much sodium certain foods contain. Here's a quick glance of some more popular foods. Note: These are ranges. The sodium content in certain food items may vary. Food Serving Size Milligrams Sodium Protein Bacon 1 medium slice 155 Chicken (dark meat) 3.5 oz roasted 87 Chicken (light meat) 3.5 oz roasted 77 Egg, fried 1 large 162 Egg, scrambled with milk 1 large 171 Dried beans, peas, or lentils 1 cup 4 Haddock 3 oz cooked 74 Halibut 3 oz cooked 59 Ham (roasted) 3.5 oz 1,300 to 1,500 Hamburger (lean) 3.5 oz broiled medium 77 Hot dog, beef 1 medium 585 Peanuts, dry roasted 1 oz 228 Pork loin, roasted 3.5 oz 65 Roast lamb leg 3.5 oz 65 Roast veal leg 3.5 oz 68 Salmon 3 oz 50 Shellfish 3 oz 100 to 325 Shrimp 3 oz 190 Spareribs, braised 3.5 oz 93 Steak, T-bone 3.5 oz 66 Tuna, canned in spring water 3 oz. chunk white 300 Turkey (dark meat) 3.5 oz roasted 76 Turkey (light meat) 3.5 oz roasted 63 Dairy Products American cheese 1 oz 443 Buttermilk, salt added 1 cup 260 Cheddar cheese 1 oz 175 Cottage cheese, low-fat 1 cup 918 Milk, whole 1 cup 120 Milk, skim or 1% 1 cup 125 Swiss cheese 1 oz 75 Yogurt, plain 1 cup 115 Vegetables and vegetable juices Asparagus 6 spears 10 Avocado 1/2 medium 10 Beans, white cooked 1 cup 4 Beans, green 1 cup 4 Beets 1 cup 84 Broccoli, raw 1/2 cup 12 Broccoli, cooked 1/2 cup 20 Carrot, raw 1 medium 25 Carrot, cooked 1/2 cup 52 Celery 1 stalk raw 35 Corn (sweet, no butter/salt) 1/2 cup boiled 14 Cucumber 1/2 cup sliced 1 Eggplant, raw 1 cup 2 Eggplant, cooked 1 cup 4 Lettuce 1 leaf 2 Lima beans 1 cup 5 Mushrooms 1/2 cup (raw or cooked) 1 to 2 Mustard greens 1/2 cup chopped 12 Onion, chopped 1/2 cup (raw or cooked) 2 to 3 Peas 1 cup 4 Potato 1 baked 7 Radishes 10 11 Spinach, raw 1/2 cup 22 Spinach, cooked 1/2 cup 63 Squash, acorn 1/2 cup 4 Sweet potato 1 small 12 Tomato 1 medium 11 Tomato juice, canned 3/4 cup 660 Fruits and fruit juices Apple 1 medium 1 Apple juice 1 cup 7 Apricots 3 medium 1 Apricots (dried) 10 halves 3 Banana 1 medium 1 Cantaloupe 1/2 cup chopped 14 Dates 10 medium 2 Grapes 1 cup 2 Grape juice 1 cup 7 Grapefruit 1/2 medium 0 Grapefruit juice 1 cup 3 Orange 1 medium 1 Orange juice 1 cup 2 Peach 1 0 Prunes (dried) 10 3 Raisins 1/3 cup 6 Strawberries 1 cup 2 Watermelon 1 cup 3 Breads and grains Bran flakes 3/4 cup 220 Bread, whole wheat 1 slice 159 Bread, white 1 slice 123 Bun, hamburger 1 241 Cooked cereal (instant) 1 packet 250 Corn flakes 1 cup 290 English muffin 1/2 182 Pancake 1 (7-inch round) 431 Rice, white long grain 1 cup 4 Shredded wheat 1 biscuit 0 Spaghetti 1 cup 7 Waffle 1 frozen 235 Convenience foods Canned soups 1 cup 600 to 1,300 Canned and frozen main dishes 8 oz 500 to 2,570 Once you know how much sodium foods have, the next step is building a diet around that knowledge. Here's some information to get you started. Protein You should have two or three servings of protein each day. But how much is a serving? 2-3 ounces of fresh or frozen fish, shellfish, meat (beef, veal, lamb, pork), or poultry 1/2 cup cooked dried beans or peas 1/2 cup low-salt canned fish (such as salmon or tuna) 1 low-sodium frozen dinner (less than 600 milligrams of sodium per meal; limit to one per day) 1 egg Dairy Products Two or more servings a day is the sweet spot here. Examples of a serving include: 2-3 ounces of low-sodium cheese 1 cup milk (fat-free, 1%, 2%, or whole) 1/2 cup low-sodium cottage cheese 1 cup soy milk Vegetables and Fruits Your goal here is five servings per day. One could contain: 1/2 cup chopped, cooked, frozen, or canned fruit 1/2 cup chopped, cooked, frozen, or no-salt added canned vegetables 1/2 cup low-sodium tomato juice or vegetable juice 1/2 cup low-sodium tomato sauce Bread and Grains You should get six or more servings of these every day. One equals: 1 slice low-sodium bread, 1 small low-sodium roll, 1/2 low-sodium bagel 1/2 cup pasta (noodles, spaghetti, macaroni) 1/2 cup rice Low-sodium crackers (read label for serving size) Sweets and Snacks Everyone needs a snack every now and then. Make sure it's every now and then, and choose: 2 1/2 ounces unsalted nuts 1 slice angel food cake 1/2 cup low-sodium potato chips, pretzels, popcorn, and other snacks 1 tablespoon jelly or honey 1 cup sherbet, sorbet, or Italian ice 1 ice pop 3 fig bars or gingersnaps 8-10 jelly beans; 3 pieces hard candy Fats, Oils and Condiments Use these as much as you can. Vinegar Lemon juice Herbs and spices without salt Olive, canola, safflower, sunflower, and corn oils Use these only when you have to. Low-sodium butter and margarine Low-sodium soups Low-sodium salad dressing Homemade gravy without salt Low-sodium broth or bouillon Low-sodium catsup Low-sodium mustard Low-sodium sauce mixes Need help putting a menu together? Here's one to get you started. Breakfast Fresh fruit Low-sodium cereal (hot or cold) Milk Lunch Lean roast turkey on whole wheat bread with low-sodium mustard Raw carrot sticks Applesauce Milk Vanilla wafers Dinner Grilled chicken Boiled potatoes Steamed fresh vegetables Tossed salad and low-sodium dressing Fresh melon Snacks Fruit Walnuts or almonds Raisins Yogurt Cooking Tips Use fresh ingredients or foods with no added salt. For favorite recipes, you may need to use other ingredients and delete or decrease the salt added. Salt can be removed from any recipe except from those containing yeast. Avoid convenience foods such as canned soups, entrÃ©es, and vegetables, pasta and rice mixes, frozen dinners, instant cereal, and puddings and gravy sauce mixes. Select frozen entrÃ©es that contain 600 milligrams or less of salt, but only eat one of these frozen foods per day. Check the Nutrition Facts label on the package for sodium content. Use fresh, frozen, no-added-salt canned vegetables, or canned vegetables that have been rinsed before they are prepared. Low-sodium canned soups may be used. Avoid mixed seasonings and spice blends that include salt, such as garlic salt. Before using a salt substitute, check with your doctor. Salt- Substitute Seasonings Cutting down on salt doesn't mean your food has to be bland. There are healthy blends you can make at home. Directions: Combine all ingredients in small bowl and blend well. Spoon into shaker. Store in a cool, dark place. Spicy Blend 2 Tbsp dried savory, crumbled 1/4 tsp freshly ground white pepper 1 Tbsp dry mustard 1/4 tsp ground cumin 2 1/2 tsp onion powder 1/2 tsp garlic powder 1/4 tsp curry powder Salt-less Surprise 2 tsp garlic powder 1 tsp basil 1 tsp oregano 1 tsp powdered lemon rind or dehydrated lemon juice Herb Seasoning 2 Tbsp dried dill weed or basil leaves, crumbled 1 tsp celery seed 2 Tbsp onion powder 1/4 tsp dried oregano leaves, crumbled Pinch freshly ground pepper Spicy Seasoning 1 tsp cloves 1 tsp pepper 2 tsp paprika 1 tsp coriander seed (crushed) 1 Tbsp rosemary Restaurant Dining Tips Eventually, you'll eat at a restaurant. You don't have to fall off the wagon. There are choices you can make for every course. Appetizers Select fresh fruit or vegetables. Avoid soups and broths. Stay away from bread and rolls with salty, buttery crusts. Salads Select fresh fruits and vegetables. Avoid pickles, canned or marinated vegetables, cured meats, seasoned croutons, cheeses, salted seeds. Order salad dressings on the side and use small amounts of them. Main Courses Select plain foods including broiled, grilled or roasted meat, poultry, fish, or shellfish. Select plain vegetables, potatoes, and noodles. Ask the server about the low-salt menu choices and ask how the food is prepared. Request food to be cooked without salt or monosodium glutamate ( MSG). Avoid restaurants that do not allow for special food preparation (such as buffet-style restaurants or diners). Avoid casseroles, mixed dishes, gravy, and sauces. Avoid fast food restaurants. Avoid salted condiments and garnishes such as olives and pickles. Desserts Select fresh fruits, ices, ice cream, sherbet, gelatin, and plain cakes.