many varieties of high protein fish like salmon are low in sodium
Image Credit: Elena Gaak/iStock/Getty Images Getting enough protein can help you control your weight and maintain your muscle mass, and keeping your sodium levels under control can benefit your blood pressure and heart health.
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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) defines high-protein foods as those providing at least 20 percent of the daily value for protein per serving, or 10 grams of protein per serving.
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Low-sodium foods are defined as those having no more than 140 milligrams of sodium per serving, while very low-sodium foods have no more than 35 milligrams per serving, per the FDA.
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Add these low-sodium protein sources to your diet for heart health.
High-Protein Low-Sodium Foods
Meat and Poultry Chicken, turkey, beef and pork have 22 to 27 grams of protein per 3-ounce serving, and they are low in sodium.
Advertisement Processed meats, such as bacon, hot dogs, sausage and bologna, can have 300 to 600 milligrams of sodium per serving, although lean processed meats are still good sources of protein. A 3-ounce serving of cured ham has 800 milligrams of sodium and 18 grams of protein, per the USDA. Choose lean unprocessed meats and poultry, and roast, stew or grill them without salty seasonings.
Advertisement 2. Seafood Fish and shellfish are high in protein, and many varieties are low in sodium. A 3-ounce serving of cooked halibut, salmon or other fish has about 19 grams of protein and 70 milligrams of sodium. Clams are low-sodium, but some seafood, such as lobster, oysters and shrimp, is higher in sodium.
Advertisement Processed seafood can be higher in sodium due to added salt. An ounce of canned anchovies has 1,040 milligrams of sodium, a 3-ounce portion of canned tuna in oil has 336 milligrams of sodium, and a 3-ounce serving of canned salmon has 346 milligrams of sodium.
Soy Products Soybeans are nearly sodium-free, and a quarter cup of roasted soybeans provides 10 grams of protein. A half-cup of firm tofu supplies nearly 22 grams of protein with only 18 milligrams of sodium. Soy milk and soy yogurt are also good choices.
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Advertisement But soybeans roasted with salt and vegetarian meat substitutes, such as soy-based burgers and vegetarian sausages, can be high in sodium. Tip The way you prepare food affects its sodium content. Salt contains 2,325 milligrams of sodium per teaspoon, so limit the amount that you add during cooking and at the table. Be aware of sodium from sauces and seasonings, such as soy sauce, salad dressings, marinades and sauces. When possible, choose unsalted and low-sodium varieties, such as low-sodium cheese, low-sodium canned beans and light soy sauce. Read the nutrition labels on packages of processed foods to determine their sodium and protein contents. Healthy Low-Sodium Foods and Snacks When it comes to selecting low-sodium foods, label reading can help. Low-sodium foods contain 140 milligrams of sodium or less per serving, according to the University of Virginia Health System.
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- Vegetables Vegetables are very low in sodium, particularly if you eat them raw or cooked without added seasonings or flavorings. Some canned preparations include extra sodium as part of preservatives. Here’s a low-sodium vegetable list:
asparagus beans lettuce eggplant peas potatoes cucumber squash
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These veggies all have less than 20 milligrams of sodium per serving. One medium carrot contains only 42 milligrams of sodium, while 1 cup of cooked broccoli contains 64 milligrams.
In addition to being low in sodium, vegetables are a source of vitamin A, vitamin C, potassium, magnesium, additional vitamins and minerals and fiber. For a variety of low-sodium treats, serve vegetables with low-sodium dips, such as low-sodium peanut butter or low-sodium salad dressing. Snack choices include baby carrots, celery sticks, cherry tomatoes, cucumber slices, red and green pepper strips and broccoli and cauliflower florets. 2. Fruits Fruits, such as apples, strawberries, watermelon, grapes and dates, all have less than 5 milligrams of sodium per serving.
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Fruits contain vitamin C, potassium, fiber, other vitamins and minerals and little sodium, making them a healthy low-sodium snack option. Most fruits are naturally portion-controlled, helping to limit calorie intake.
Healthy low-sodium fruits include apples, oranges, bananas, pears, peaches, plums, grapes, berries, melon and canned fruit. Fruits can also be made into a smoothie with juice and ice for a healthy low-sodium drink to take on the go. 3. Whole Grains Some grains can be low in sodium, but read labels when buying packaged items to determine how much is in each serving. Packaged biscuits, cakes, cookies and instant cereals all have higher levels of sodium. Stick with multi-grain bread, whole-wheat crackers, low-sugar cereals and popcorn without added salt for low-sodium options. Combining low-sodium crackers or rice cakes with low-sodium peanut butter can make a satisfying snack. One cup of cooked whole-wheat spaghetti contains only 4.7 milligrams of sodium, while 1 cup of cooked wild rice contains only 5 milligrams. 4. Milk and Yogurt Dairy foods provide calcium and protein. When it comes to snacking, adding a source of protein can help control hunger. Healthy low-sodium dairy foods to snack on include yogurt and milk. Plus, milk or yogurt can also be added to a fruit smoothie to increase its protein content. Low-Sodium Snack Tips Snacks do not need to be limited to a single item but can include a combination of foods. Low-sodium cereal, such as puffed wheat or puffed rice, with milk is a healthy low-sodium snack. Make your own low-sodium trail mix to satisfy your need for sweet and savory by combining unsalted nuts, unsalted pretzels, unsalted air-popped popcorn and raisins. Or, try a small whole-wheat bagel with 1 tablespoon of cream cheese or low-sodium peanut butter.
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references
U.S. Food and Drug Administration: Protein
USDA National Nutrient Database: Food Groups
The University of Maine Cooperative Extension Publications: Sodium Content of Your Food
McKinley Health Center, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign: Protein
FDA: "Sodium in Your Diet"
references
U.S. Food and Drug Administration: Protein
USDA National Nutrient Database: Food Groups
The University of Maine Cooperative Extension Publications: Sodium Content of Your Food
McKinley Health Center, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign: Protein
FDA: "Sodium in Your Diet"
many varieties of high protein fish like salmon are low in sodium
Image Credit: Elena Gaak/iStock/Getty Images
Image Credit: Elena Gaak/iStock/Getty Images
The way you prepare food affects its sodium content. Salt contains 2,325 milligrams of sodium per teaspoon, so limit the amount that you add during cooking and at the table. Be aware of sodium from sauces and seasonings, such as soy sauce, salad dressings, marinades and sauces. When possible, choose unsalted and low-sodium varieties, such as low-sodium cheese, low-sodium canned beans and light soy sauce. Read the nutrition labels on packages of processed foods to determine their sodium and protein contents.
When possible, choose unsalted and low-sodium varieties, such as low-sodium cheese, low-sodium canned beans and light soy sauce. Read the nutrition labels on packages of processed foods to determine their sodium and protein contents.
Snacks do not need to be limited to a single item but can include a combination of foods. Low-sodium cereal, such as puffed wheat or puffed rice, with milk is a healthy low-sodium snack. Make your own low-sodium trail mix to satisfy your need for sweet and savory by combining unsalted nuts, unsalted pretzels, unsalted air-popped popcorn and raisins. Or, try a small whole-wheat bagel with 1 tablespoon of cream cheese or low-sodium peanut butter.
Make your own low-sodium trail mix to satisfy your need for sweet and savory by combining unsalted nuts, unsalted pretzels, unsalted air-popped popcorn and raisins. Or, try a small whole-wheat bagel with 1 tablespoon of cream cheese or low-sodium peanut butter.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration: Protein
USDA National Nutrient Database: Food Groups
The University of Maine Cooperative Extension Publications: Sodium Content of Your Food
McKinley Health Center, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign: Protein
FDA: "Sodium in Your Diet"
