Sodium is a mineral found in many foods and is important to many different bodily functions. One of the most important functions of sodium involves maintaining fluid levels. If too much sodium builds up in the body it causes thirst and fluid buildup.
Normally functioning kidneys help to maintain proper levels of sodium in the body. If the kidneys begin to fail however, it becomes more important to maintain appropriate levels of sodium intake.
The easiest way to avoid excess sodium intake is to eliminate putting extra salt on foods. People frequently add salt during cooking and at the table.
Even just topping these behaviors will usually cut back significantly on the amount of sodium ingested. It is also important to avoid particularly salty foods such as theater popcorn, potato chips, salted pretzels, bacon and other cured meats, and processed cheese.
Checking the ingredients list of processed, frozen, and canned foods is a good way to see how much sodium the product contains. Canned soups are often surprisingly high in salt, but often times there are low-sodium alternatives available.
Because salt contributes so much to the flavor of foods, it may be helpful to find replacements for it. Using lemon juice or herb mixtures can add flavor without adding sodium, however mixtures such as garlic salt should not be used because they still have contain a high level of sodium.
Artificial salt substitutes should also be avoided because these usually contain high levels of potassium, another mineral that people following a kidney diet need to monitor.
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The Kidney Diet Guidelines
