To illustrate, the following are sodium equivalents in the diet. Watch for both natural and added sodium content. Encourage your patients to read the labels when they buy prepared and packaged foods. These products contain sodium compounds. Some drugs contain large amounts of sodium.
Most spices naturally contain sodium in very small amounts.
Choose fresh, frozen or canned food items without added salts. Select unsalted nuts or seeds, dried beans, peas and lentils. Avoid adding salt and canned vegetables to homemade dishes. Select unsalted, fat-free broths, bouillons or soups. When dining out, be specific about what you want and how you want it prepared.