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Sodium is a chemical found in salt and other foods. High sodium intake can increase blood pressure and fluid retention (edema). Depending on the degree of sodium restriction, all foods should be prepared & served without addition of salt, baking soda, baking powder or MSG.
Foods to Avoid
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Commercial foods made up of milk, condensed milk, ice-cream, milk shakes. |
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Natural sodium content of animal foods is high & hence meat, fish, chicken, eggs, milk, cheese, processed cheese & panner should be used in restricted amounts. Organ meats (kidney, liver, brain) also contain more sodium than muscle meat & hence they are best avoided. Shell-fish (crab, lobster, oyster & shrimp) are also high in sodium. Salt water fish contains more sodium than fresh water fish. |
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Avoid use of canned fruits, dry fruits like raisins canned soups & vegetables. Spinach, carrots, beetroot & white turnip contain good amount of sodium. |
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Commercially baked products like bread, pav, khari, toast, bread rolls, croissants, brioche, biscuits, cakes, pizzas, pastries etc. should be avoided. |
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Unsalted butter or white butter prepared at home should be used instead of regular market butter. |
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Soft drinks & prepared beverage mixes including fruit flavored powders. |
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Eating snack foods outside like bhel, pani-puri, samosa, ragda-pattice, dahiwadas, chana- bhatura, burgers, popcorn, wafers, papad, medu-wada etc. |
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Seasoning to avoid includes all types of sauces, pickles, papads and Chinese preparations. |
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High sodium foods: salt, canned soups, some canned foods, “fast foods”, pickles, and papads. |
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Read labels. Choose products with less than 140 mg. sodium per serving Look not only for salt but also for bicarbonates of soda (baking soda), baking powder, MSG (aginomoto), sodium compounds such as sodium benzoate, sodium citrate etc. |
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Avoid medicines, laxatives & salt substitutes (e.g.: LoNa, rock salt) unless prescribed by the doctor. |
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