Heart Disease Health Center

Low-Sodium Diet: Foods Allowed and Foods to Avoid

People on a low-sodium diet should have a basic understanding of which foods they can eat and which they should not. This list will get you started. Most allowed foods have low sodium content, while foods to avoid have high sodium content.

Allowed foods

Foods as they are found in nature or that are minimally processed (such as bread and pasta) are allowed if they are cooked without added salt. Allowed foods include:

• Milk.
• Uncured meats.
• Fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables.
• Breads and grains.

Foods to avoid

Foods to avoid include:

• Frozen prepared meals.
• Canned entrees and soups.
• Snack crackers and chips.
• Cured meats.
• Seasonings high in salt.
• Foods eaten out. Fast food and Chinese food can be very high in sodium.

Always read food labels . If a food does not have a label, you will need a book that lists the sodium content of foods. Many doctors, hospitals, libraries, and bookstores have pamphlets or books that contain this information.