Sodium-Restricted Diets

Sodium-restricted diets restrict the quantity of sodium to a prescribed level. These diets are designed to induce a loss of sodium and water from the body or avoid excessive sodium retention. Suggested levels of sodium modification include:

Mild sodium restriction- 3000mg sodium per day
Moderate sodium restriction- 2000mg sodium per day
Strict sodium restriction- 1000mg sodium per day
Very strict sodium diet- 500mg sodium per day

-The choices of foods depend on the sodium levels. In general, commercially prepared foods with added sodium are limited in amount or excluded altogether while those foods with naturally occurring sodium are only allowed in some degree.

When is it used?
- 3000mg sodium diet: mild hypertension, mild edema
- 2000mg sodium diet: congestive heart failure, moderate hypertension, pregnancy-induced hypertension, corticosteroid therapy, cirrhosis, and chronic renal disorders.
- 1000mg sodium diet: severe hypertension, cirrhosis with ascites, pulmonary edema, congestive heart failure, and eclampsia.
- 500 mg sodium diet: a diet used on a short-term basis for patients requiring severe sodium restriction.

How adequate is the diet?

The diet provides all the essential nutrients when planned based on the principles of balanced diet.

Suggested Meal Plan

Same as the regular diet but use only those foods that are permitted.
Breakfast
Fruit
Meat/fish (or substitute)
Rice/bread (or substitute)
Beverage

Lunch/Supper
Meat/fish (or substitute)
Vegetable
Rice (or substitute)
Fruit

Snacks
(As desired)
Sandwich/pasta/noodles
Hot or cold beverage