Cut back on sodium

Eating too much sodium can raise your risk of high blood pressure, heart attack, and stroke. More than 70% of the sodium Americans consume comes from packaged and prepared foods. While sodium has many forms, 90% of the sodium we consume is from salt.

To cut back on sodium, try this:

• Find alternatives to salt to add flavor to your meals.
  • A squeeze of lemon juice.
  • A dash of no-salt spice blends.
  • Fresh herbs.
• Eat high-sodium processed and prepackaged food less frequently.
  • Common foods with high sodium include breads, pizza, and deli meats.
• Read the Nutrition Facts label to find foods low in sodium.
• Buy unprocessed food to prepare at home without salt.
  • Good options include fresh or frozen vegetables.