Here are some sodium facts and low sodium suggestions to kidneys聽patients on a low sodium diet enjoy the holidays.
Salt makes you thirsty so limit salty foods, especially if you鈥檙e on a fluid restriction.
A little extra salt in or on your holiday foods does make a difference.
1 teaspoon salt = 2131 mg sodium 1/2 teaspoon salt = 1066 mg sodium
1/4 teaspoon salt = 533 mg sodium 1/8 teaspoon salt = 266 mg sodium
75 mg鈥攖he average sodium content of 3 ounces fresh, unsalted beef, turkey, chicken, pork
240 mg sodium in 3 ounces self-basting frozen turkey, cooked (that鈥檚 without the gravy!)
580 mg sodium in 3 oz frozen fully cooked baked turkey
820 mg sodium in 3 ounces honey baked ham
Bread lovers beware! Bread is a major sodium contributor if you eat more than a couple of pieces a day unless you buy special low sodium bread. A slice (1 ounce) of loaf bread has 150 to 200 mg sodium鈥攏ot including salted butter or other spreads or toppings. Consider a bread maker or bread baking book with low sodium recipes as a Christmas gift.
Go for low or reduced sodium gravy instead of regular salted gravy which has more than 300 mg sodium for 1/4 cup.
If you do use sodium containing seasonings or condiments, limit to a small portion.
Increase the salt-free herbs and spices and rely on low sodium seasoning such as lemon juice or zest, vinegars, fresh chilies and fruit sauces and jams.
Pick fresh foods whenever possible鈥攖he sodium is likely to be much lower.
Cook at home often instead of eating out. Prepare a low sodium dish to take to holiday celebrations.
Read labels and compare brands at the grocery. There鈥檚 often quite a sodium difference between two comparable products.
Don鈥檛 let sodium ruin your holidays. Paying attention to what you eat and focusing on healthier low sodium, kidney-friendly choices聽makes a聽difference in health and energy level.
