Yummy Low-Sodium Foods You Should Add To Your Diet Today

Sodium is a mineral that is essential for human health. It helps the body regulate fluid levels, blood pressure, and muscle and nerve function. Sodium is naturally present in many foods and is added to others as a way of enhancing flavours and preserving freshness. Although a minimum amount of sodium is required for good health, a diet high in sodium can lead to elevated blood pressure, heart failure, stroke, osteoporosis, kidney disease, and stomach cancer. Experts recommend consuming no more than 2300 milligrams of sodium each day (about one teaspoon of salt). This is why the following eight low-sodium foods are the perfect addition to a healthy diet.

Fresh And Frozen Vegetables

Dietitians encourage people to load up on fresh and frozen vegetables because they are naturally low in sodium, containing less than 50 milligrams per serving. Fresh and frozen vegetables are also packed with other nutrients, such as potassium (which helps the body excrete sodium), folic acid, dietary fibre, vitamin C, and vitamin A. In addition, they are low in fat and calories. Canned vegetables are an option, but people must be careful when consuming them because they can be high in sodium. People who like eating canned vegetables should choose a low-sodium brand or use a strainer to rinse the vegetables in water for at least thirty seconds to remove excess sodium.

Baked Potatoes And Sweet Potatoes

Potatoes are naturally low in sodium with only about 6 milligrams of sodium per potato. Both white and sweet potatoes are packed with essential minerals and vitamins. White potatoes contain more minerals, including magnesium, iron, and potassium. They also contain calcium, vitamin C, and vitamin B6. Sweet potatoes, on the other hand, contain more vitamin A and fibre and are lower on the glycemic index.

Foods lower on the glycemic index are considered better options because high glycemic index foods are quickly digested and cause spikes in blood sugar levels, which increases the risk of diabetes and heart disease. People can prepare their potatoes in ways that help lower their glycemic index, such as by adding olive oil, sour cream, avocados, vinegar, citrus, salsa, proteins, and fibre-rich foods. Methods of preparing potatoes that increase their glycemic index include leaving the skin on, cooling the potatoes before eating them, and boiling instead of baking them.