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6 Surprising Hidden Sources of Sodium

Photo of Christina Lewis
Christina Lewis, MS, RD, LD

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In an effort to cut back on sodium intake, many of us have looked for the obvious sources of sodium. We all know the salt shaker on the dinner table adds sodium. We may also be aware that canned goods and seasoning mixes used in our favorite recipes are loaded with sodium. Those are probably the most obvious sources of sodium we encounter, but what about the hidden sources of sodium in food?

According to the Centers for Disease Control, almost 40 percent of the sodium in our diets come from only a few foods. Even items that do not taste salty can be a significant source of sodium. Consider how many of the below items you may be eating each day.

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6 Hidden Sodium Sources

1. Bread, rolls, and bagels A plain bagel can contain 400 mg of sodium. 
2. Tortillas Like bread, there is ample sodium in tortillas, almost 400 mg in an average 8-inch flour tortilla. 
3. Cheese One slice of American cheese can contain more than 350 mg of sodium.
4. Tomato Sauce A ¼ cup serving of plain tomato sauce can contain more than 300 mg of sodium.
5. Pizza One large slice of frozen pizza can contain more than 700 mg of sodium
6. Cold Cuts A two-ounce serving can contain almost 500 mg of sodium.

Looking for ways sodium sneaks into your diet can make a big impact on reducing your overall sodium intake. Additionally, always read the food labels of all packaged foods.

For more information on sodium and health, check out these articles:
Tips to Eat Less Salt and Sodium
The Facts on Sodium and High Blood Pressure

Pritikin Foods is offering Well Defined readers a 20 percent discount for new customers buying their first 10- or 24-meal package. Use code WD20 at checkout.

About The Author
Photo of Christina Lewis

Christina is a registered dietitian with more than 20 years of experience in clinical dietetics, education, and program management. Christina served in the U.S. Army and held several positions in clinical nutrition. She was also responsible for education, training, and competencies for Allied Health professionals across 14 hospitals as part of a large healthcare organization.  Christina offers her expertise in articles for Pritikin Foods.