How Much Sodium Are You Really Eating?

You probably know that too much salt is bad for you. But even if you’re passing on high-sodium foods and shaking your salt habit at the table, you’re probably still eating more sodium than you think. In fact, studies show most of us eat two to three times the amount of sodium considered healthy. Experts advise eating no more than 2,300 mg of sodium daily.

A diet high in sodium can cause high blood pressure, which may lead to heart disease, stroke, and congestive heart failure. Even people who don’t have high blood pressure are at a greater risk for these problems if they eat a diet high in salt.

While you expect salty foods, such as pretzels, to contain lots of sodium, it also pops up in a lot of places you probably wouldn’t suspect. Biscuits, bagels, and other baked goods are usually high in sodium. Other culprits include canned beans and vegetables—unless you’re choosing unsalted versions—and most packaged or frozen dinners.

Here are some other examples of surprisingly high-sodium foods:

• Chocolate pudding (1/2 cup)—417 mg
• Tomato pasta sauce (1 cup)—1,203 mg
• Rye bread (1 slice)—211 mg
• Baked beans (1 cup)—856 mg
• Fried fish fillet, breaded or battered—484 mg
• American cheese (1 oz)—422 mg
• Canned chunky vegetable soup (1 cup)— 1,010 mg