Top 6 Sodium Culprits

We all know salty chips are loaded with sodium. But how about that innocent-looking can of soup in your pantry? Take a closer peek at its nutrition label, and you might find that it's loaded with sodium. According to Health Canada data, the top six sodium sources in the Canadian population include these foods (some of which you might not have seen coming!):

1. bakery products—breads, muffins, cookies, desserts, crackers, granola bars
2. mixed dishes—pizza, frozen dinners, ready-made salads and meals
3. processed meats—sausages, deli meats, burgers, hot dogs
4. cheeses—all types, which are often also found within mixed dishes and processed meat dishes
5. soups, sauces, dips, condiments, dressings—many may also be sold in low-sodium varieties
6. snack foods, breakfast cereals, processed vegetables and juice

Sorry, cheese lovers! On the plus side: With this list of sodium sources in mind, you can check nutrition labels to compare sodium content across products. That's a wise step toward lowering daily sodium consumption.

This excerpt is from an article that was published in the February 2020 issue of alive Canada with the title “Fasting and Feasting for Lower Blood Pressure.”