Sometimes doctors recommend that a person reduces the amount of sodium they are eating. They may do so because the patient has high blood pressure, heart disease, or kidney disease. According to the American Heart Association, the average person should eat no more than 2,300 mg per day, but should aim for an even lower amount of 1,500 mg. If your parent is one of the many people in the United States who has been advised to reduce their sodium intake, you might be surprised to learn that it can be harder to do so than you think. That’s because there are some foods that contain more sodium than you might think. Below are some foods that your parent may want to avoid because they contain surprising amounts of sodium.

Cereal
Cereals like raisin bran seem like a healthy breakfast option, right? Well, maybe not. Some kinds of raisin bran have as much as 210 mg of sodium in just one cup of cereal! Check the nutrition label before purchasing cereal. Cereals like puffed rice and wheat do not have salt and are better options.

Vegetable Juice
Drinking a serving of vegetables may not be as healthy as it sounds. Some brands of tomato juice have 700 mg of sodium in a single serving. Look for vegetable juices that have 240 mg or less.

Condiments
You might not think much about the squirt of ketchup your parent puts on their burger, but you should. A tablespoon of ketchup has 154 mg of sodium. Fortunately, you can purchase low-salt versions.

Tortillas
Surprisingly, a six-inch tortilla can be the source of more than 200 mg of sodium. Corn tortillas are a healthier option, with just 11 mg for a six-inch round.

Canned Vegetables
Check the label on the cans of vegetables you buy for your parent. Many of them use salt as a preservative. Look for low-sodium versions or choose fresh or frozen instead.

Dairy Products
Dairy products are a great choice for vitamin D and calcium, but not all of them are great options when it comes to sodium. Processed cheeses can be high in sodium. Other dairy products that often contain too much salt are cottage cheese and buttermilk.

If your parent has been advised to change their eating habits, hiring an elderly care provider can help. Seniors sometimes have difficulty preparing their own meals, so they may rely on quick, pre-made foods. Unfortunately, processed foods can be high in salt and sugar, so they’re often not the best option. An elderly care provider can prepare healthy, balanced meals for your parent. Or, if your parent enjoys cooking, but needs some help, an elderly care provider can simply be a guiding hand. Elderly care providers can also sit with your parents during meal times, making them more enjoyable.

Sources
http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/protect-your-heart-17/slideshow-salt-shockers
https://www.everydayhealth.com/heart-health-pictures/10-sneaky-sodium-bombs.aspx
https://www.heart.org/idc/groups/heart-public/@wcm/@hcm/documents/downloadable/ucm_300625.pdf
https://sodiumbreakup.heart.org/doctor-told-eat-less-salt-lately

If you or an aging loved-one are considering in-home elderly care in Cheshire, CT, please contact the caring staff at Franciscan Ever There Care. Call today 203-630-2881.