Some people are either getting too much or too little of sodium in their diets.
We aim to help you better understand how much sodium your body needs.
In today’s world people are often getting too much sodium in their diets.
It’s easy to do, considering a single tablespoon of salt equates to 2,325mg
of sodium. But while people are getting too much, they cannot completely
cut it out of their diets. Sodium in small amounts is essential for
functions in your body, so that it can maintain a healthy balance of
fluids and for proper nerve function.
Benefits of Sodium
Sodium is needed to help maintain a proper fluid balance in your body.
Without sodium nerves could not communicate back and forth with each
other nor could muscles contract.
How Much Sodium Is Right for Me?
Determining the proper amount of sodium for you can depend upon your
current health and age.
Dietary Guidelines for American’s recommends that you should consume
no more than 2,300 mg a day – and no more than 1,500 past 51 years of age.
Sources of Sodium
All vegetables have sodium and even milk. But the primary sources come from processed foods.
Processed Foods
Fast Food
Eggs
Meat
Pasta
Pizza
Bacon
Cheese
Soup
Bread
List of Sodium Content in Foods Based on Type
Sodium in Dairy
Milk
Whole Milk 1 Cup = 98
Whole Milk 1/2 Cup = 49
Whole Milk 1 fl oz = 12
2% Reduced Fat Milk 1 Cup = 100
2% Reduced Fat Milk 1/2 Cup = 50
2% Reduced Fat Milk 1 fl oz = 13
1% Low Fat Milk 1 Cup = 103
1% Low Fat Milk 1/2 Cup = 51
1% Low Fat Milk 1 fl oz = 13
Fat Free/Non-Fat Milk 1 Cup = 127mg
Fat Free/Non-Fat Milk 1/2 Cup = 64mg
Fat Free/Non-Fat Milk 1 fl oz = 15mg
Goats Milk 1 Cup = 122mg
Goats Milk 1/2 Cup = 61mg
Goats Milk 1 fl oz = 15mg
Cheese (1 slice or 1 oz)
American Cheese = 368mg
Low Fat American Cheese = 405mg
Asiago Cheese = 454mg
Blue Cheese = 395mg
Brie Cheese = 178mg
Camembert Cheese = 239mg
Cheddar Cheese = 174mg
Colby Cheese = 169mg
Edam Cheese = 274mg
Feta Cheese = 316mg
Fontina Cheese = 224mg
Gjetost Cheese = 170mg
Goats Cheese = 98mg
Gouda Cheese = 232mg
Gruyere Cheese = 94mg
Havarti Cheese = 159mg
Mexican Blend Cheese = 175mg
Monterey Cheese = 150mg
Mozzarella Cheese = 178
Mozzarella Cheese (Part Skim) = 175mg
Muenster Cheese = 176mg
Neufchatel Cheese = 113mg
Parmesan Cheese = 454mg
Pizza Cheese = 150mg
Provolone Cheese = 245mg
Ricotta Cheese = 24mg
Romano Cheese = 340mg
Swiss Cheese = 54mg
Cottage Cheese
Regular Cottage Cheese = 456mg
2% Low Fat Cottage Cheese = 459mg
1% Low Fat Cottage Cheese = 459mg
Nonfat/Low Fat Cottage Cheese = 9mg
Cream Cheese
Regular Cream Cheese = 86mg
Low Fat Cream Cheese = 89mg
Nonfat/Fat Free Cream Cheese = 170mg
Eggs
Whole Egg 1 Small = 52mg
Whole Egg 1 Medium = 62mg
Whole Egg 1 Large = 70mg
Whole Egg 1 Extra Large = 81mg
Whole Egg 1 Jumbo = 91mg
Egg White 1 Large = 55mg
Egg White 1 cup 403mg
Egg White 1 oz = 47mg
Egg Yolk 1 Large = 8mg
Egg Yolk 1 Cup = 117mg
Egg Yolk 1 oz = 14mg
Scrambled Egg 1 Large = 171mg
Scrambled Egg 2 Large = 342mg
1 Turkey Egg = 119mg
1 Duck Egg = 102mg
Sodium in Meat
Bacon
1 Thin Slice = 116mg
1 Medium Slice = 185mg
1 Thick Slice = 277mg
1 Cup Pieces = 1848mg
1 oz = 647mg
Canadian Bacon 1 Strip = 356mg
Canadian Bacon 1 Strip Grilled = 363mg
Cured Bacon = 1 Medium Strip = 189mg
Cured Bacon = 1 Thick Strip = 317mg
Baked Bacon 1 Strip = 178mg
Pan Friend Bacon = 192mg
Microwaved Bacon = 155mg
Beef
Ground Beef 1 Small Patty = 272mg
Ground Beef 1 Medium Patty = 340mg
Ground Beef 1 Large Patty = 452mg
Ground Beef 4 oz = 448mg
Roast Beef 1 Thin Slice = 46mg
Roast Beef 1 Medium Slice = 91mg
Roast Beef 1 Thick Slice = 137mg
Roast Beef 1 Cup = 291mg
Roast Beef 4 oz = 246mg
Beef Steak 1 Small = 571mg
Beef Steak 1 Medium = 761mg
Beef Steak 1 Large = 1015mg
Beef Steak 4 oz with bone = 343mg
Beef Steak 4 oz boneless = 423mg
Beef Sausage 1 Sausage = 146mg
Beef Sausage 1 Patty = 304mg
Beef Sausage 4 oz = 1261mg
Beef Chuck = 76mg
Beef Ribs = 62mg
Beef Tenderloin = 54mg
Beef Top Round = 60mg
Porterhouse Steak = 60mg
Sirloin Steak = 79mg
T-Bone Steak = 61mg
Lamb
Boneless Lamb 4 oz = 447mg
Lamb with Bomb 4 oz = 315mg
Ground Lamb 4 oz = 67mg
Lamb Roast 4 oz = 259mg
Lamb Ribs 4 oz = 209mg
Lamb Shoulder 4 oz = 259mg
Lean Lamb Loin 4 oz = 77mg
Lean Lamb Leg 4 oz = 73mg
Lamb Heart 4 oz = 71mg
Lamb Kidneys 4 oz = 171mg
Lamb Liver 4 oz = 63mg
Lamb Brain 4 oz = 127mg
Lamb Hocks 4 oz = 299mg
Lean Lamb Foreshank 4 oz = 90mg
Lamb Chops with Fat 1 Small = 281mg
Lamb Chops with Fat 1 Medium = 425mg
Lamb Chops with Fat 1 Large = 565mg
Lean Lamb Chops 1 Small = 210mg
Lean Lamb Chops 1 Medium = 314mg
Lean Lamb Chops 1 Large = 419mg
Chicken
1 Roasted Chicken Breast without Skin = 127mg
1 Stewed Chicken Breast without Skin = 120mg
1 Fried Chicken Breast without Skin = 136mg
1 Roasted Breast with Skin = 139mg
1 Stewed Breast with Skin = 136mg
1 Flour Fried Breast with Skin = 149mg
1 Batter Fried Breast with Skin= 770mg
1 Roasted Wing w/ Skin = 28mg
1 Stewed Wing w/ Skin = 27mg
1 Flour Friend Wing = 25mg
1 Batter Fried Wing = 157mg
What to Watch Out For
The kitchen is another source of much of the sodium in our diets. We use salt in almost all of
our dishes, during the cooking of the food and then afterwards we may even add some of that table
salt on top of that. We are saturated in sodium.
Reducing Sodium – Pay Attention to Nutrient Facts
When it comes to reducing sodium in your diet, you need to shop
smart and pay close attention to the nutrient facts on labels. It takes no time at all.
Hold off on the table salt. Some recipes that say add salt can be made without it.