The Hidden Salt: 12 "Healthy" Foods with Alarming Sodium Levels

Canned Vegetables: Convenience with a Sodium Cost

While fresh vegetables are celebrated for their health benefits, canned vegetables offer convenience and a longer shelf life. However, this convenience often comes with a high sodium cost. Sodium is used in canned vegetables as a preservative and flavor enhancer, with a single serving sometimes containing more than 400 milligrams. To mitigate this, consumers should look for labels indicating "no salt added" or "low sodium" and consider rinsing canned vegetables under water before cooking or serving. This simple step can significantly reduce sodium content, making them a healthier option.

Salad Dressings: The Salty Culprit in a Healthy Meal

Salad dressings can transform a simple bowl of greens into a flavorful meal, but they often come with a hefty dose of sodium. Many commercial dressings, especially those labeled as "light" or "fat-free," compensate for flavor loss by adding salt. A typical serving of store-bought dressing can contain over 300 milligrams of sodium. To enjoy salads without the sodium overload, consumers can make their own dressings at home using olive oil, vinegar, and herbs. Alternatively, choosing dressings labeled as "low sodium" can help maintain a healthy sodium intake.