Module 2 Pull Down Navigation - Select a Page to View ------------------- Introduction What is a Low-Sodium Diet? How Do I Follow a Low-Sodium Diet? Step 1: Stop Adding Salt to Food Step 2: Adapt Your Preferred Foods to Low-Sodium Versions Step 3: Pick Foods Naturally Low in Sodium Step 4: Learn to Read Food Labels Reading a Food Label for Sodium Content Other Tips to Help You Get Started Tracking the Sodium in Your Diet Questions to Ask Your Doctor or Nurse Questions and Answers About a Low-Sodium Diet Low-Sodium Spices, Herbs, Seasonings and Condiments High-Sodium Spices, Herbs, Seasonings and Condiments Foods with Less Than 10 mg of Sodium Per Serving Foods with 10 to 40 mg of Sodium Per Serving Foods with 40 to 65 mg of Sodium Per Serving Foods with 65 to 120 mg of Sodium Per Serving Foods with 120 to 175 mg of Sodium Per Serving Foods with 175 to 350 mg of Sodium Per Serving Foods with 350 to 500 mg of Sodium Per Serving Foods with 500 to 800 mg of Sodium Per Serving Foods with More Than 800 mg of Sodium Per Serving Examples of Low-Sodium Foods Examples of High-Sodium Foods High-Sodium Foods and Low-Sodium Alternatives Examples of Sodium Content of Fast Foods Learn More About Heart Failure

Questions to Ask Your Doctor or Nurse

Question: What is my sodium limit per day?

Reason for asking this question: Most people with heart failure should limit their sodium intake, even if they do not have symptoms. Following a low-sodium diet will help prevent fluid from building up in your body and may even decrease your need for some medications.

Your doctor or nurse is the best person to tell you exactly how much sodium you can eat each day, but they may forget to discuss this important aspect of your care. So ask them about your sodium limit.

Question: I hear a lot about sodium, but what about potassium? Should I be on a diet that is high or low in potassium?

Reason for asking this question: Your body needs potassium to work properly, so it is important that you have the right amount in your blood.

Some heart failure medicines can cause potassium levels to go either up or down. For example:

• Water pills may cause a drop in potassium.
  
  
• Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor and spironolactone pills may cause an increase in potassium. (See Module 3: Heart Failure Medicines for definitions and more information).

Your doctor or nurse should check your blood potassium level and tell you if you need to do anything special to keep your potassium level normal.

If you have low potassium, your doctor or nurse may advise you to eat foods high in potassium. They may also prescribe a potassium pill to make sure you are getting enough potassium. If your doctor or nurse suggests that you eat foods high in potassium, try the following:

Avocados	Potatoes and sweet potatoes
Bananas	Spinach
Broccoli	Strawberries
Cantaloupe	Tomatoes
Dried fruits (prunes, dates, raisins)	Whole grains
Nuts	Winter squash
Oranges and other citrus fruits

But if your potassium level is high, your doctor or nurse may advise you to avoid eating certain foods and salt substitutes containing potassium. Always check with your doctor or nurse before using salt substitutes that contain potassium.