11 Surprising Restaurant Meals That Hit the Sodium Danger Zone

7. Pizza with Cured Meats and Extra Cheese — a slice can add up fast

Pizza is delicious and culturally comforting, but cured meats like pepperoni and sausage plus generous cheese produce concentrated sodium per slice. Many people assume that pizza shared among friends dilutes impact, but individual consumption of a few slices—especially when paired with salty appetizers—adds up quickly. You can enjoy pizza while cutting sodium by ordering vegetable-topped pies, asking for light cheese, or choosing a thin crust to reduce the dough-to-topping ratio. Another good strategy is to split a pizza and bulk up the meal with a side salad dressed lightly with oil and lemon. These small choices let you keep pizza night in your rotation without tipping daily sodium targets.

8. Mexican Combo Plates and Smothered Entrées — sauces, cheese, and seasoned beans

Mexican-style combo plates are a classic restaurant trap: they combine multiple sodium sources. Salsas, enchilada sauces, seasoned rice and beans, cheese, and chorizo all bring salt to the plate. Because these items are layered, a single combo can become a concentrated sodium event. When dining at Mexican restaurants, consider ordering fajitas with plain grilled protein and fresh salsa, asking for beans and rice on the side, or requesting that sauces and cheese be served sparingly. Fresh pico de gallo and lime can add brightness and satisfaction without relying on added salt. These swaps help you keep the social and flavorful aspects of the cuisine while protecting your heart.