Shaking the High-Sodium Habit

The jury may still be out as to whether too much salt can actually cause high blood pressure, but one thing is certain: Although sodium is a mineral essential for good health, most Americans consume much more than is necessary. We require about 200 milligrams (mg) of sodium each day—the amount found in one fifteenth of a teaspoon of salt.

Even if your blood pressure is in the normal range, experts agree it makes sense to limit sodium intake to less than 3,000 mg a day. While there's no guarantee that this will protect you from hypertension, it's a sensible measure to take while you're still in good health. Remember: A low-sodium diet doesn't have to mean settling for bland, flavorless food. Simply avoid salty items like canned soups, frozen dinners, chips and fast foods, and replace the salt in your shaker with one of these low-sodium seasonings:

The above ingredients and other low-sodium seasonings are available at your local Dominick's Finer Foods.