5 Steps to Start the DASH Diet Today

4. Tips for lowering sodium intake

There are many ways to lower sodium when shopping, cooking and eating out.

• Read food labels, and only buy foods which are low in sodium.
• Choose fresh or frozen produce instead of canned
• Choose fresh poultry, fish, and lean meat instead of cured foods
• Avoid instant or flavored rice, oatmeal, pasta, or soups
• Rinse canned foods before eating them
• Flavor foods with salt-free spice blends
• When going out to eat, ask that foods be prepared without added salt or MSG. Avoid menu items which include soy sauce, cured foods, pickled foods, or a lot of cheese.