14 High Sodium Foods to Avoid If You Have Hypernatremia
It’s important to keep the right amount of sodium in your body to stay healthy. If you have too much sodium in your body, be careful about your dietary choices.
Hypernatremia symptoms can get worse when you eat foods that contain high amounts of sodium.
In this helpful guide, we’ll look at the top 14 foods that people with hypernatremia should stay away from.
By learning about these dietary pitfalls and making smart choices, you can control how much sodium you consume and promote better health.
Let’s jump right in and find out the foods that might be working against you in your goal to keep a healthy balance of sodium in your body.
Table of Contents:
- Sausages
- Canned Soups
- Pretzels
- Ketchup
- Sauerkraut
- Cheese Spreads
- Bacon
- Barbecue Sauce
- Packaged Muffins
- Mayonnaise
- Salted Popcorn
- Potato Chips
- Smoked Salmon
- Mustard
1. Sausages
Table of Contents
Sausages are a type of processed meat that is often high in sodium.
They are made with cured meats and can be seasoned with various spices, including salt.
Eating sausages frequently can raise sodium levels in your blood.
So be careful about how much you eat, and choose sausages with less sodium whenever possible.
If you have hypernatremia, consider exploring alternative protein sources that are lower in sodium.
Additionally, when purchasing sausages, be sure to read the labels and choose products with reduced sodium content.
2. Canned Soups
Canned soups are a convenient and quick meal option, but they contain significant amounts of sodium.
Manufacturers add salt to make the soup taste better and last longer.
Eating canned soups can raise the amount of sodium in your blood, which isn’t good for you, especially if you have hypernatremia.
Eating too much sodium makes your body hold onto water, raises blood pressure, and puts stress on your heart and blood vessels.
If you want to avoid eating too much canned soup, prepare your own soup using fresh ingredients.
That way, you can control how much salt goes into it.
3. Pretzels
Pretzels are a popular snack option, often enjoyed on their own. But, they can be surprisingly high in sodium, making them a food to avoid if you have hypernatremia.
Many pretzels, especially those that are commercially packaged, are made with added salt to enhance the flavor.
Instead of choosing pretzels as a snack, think about picking healthier options that have less salt.
You can satisfy your snack cravings without consuming too much salt by choosing unsalted nuts, air-popped popcorn, and vegetables.
If you enjoy crunchy snacks, why not try making your own pretzels at home with less salt?.
4. Ketchup
Ketchup is a popular sauce that people love to put on burgers, fries, and other tasty foods, but you should be aware of the sodium content in it.
Ketchup contains a significant amount of sodium, as it is used to enhance the flavor.
One tablespoon of ketchup has about 100 milligrams of sodium.
Eating too much can raise the sodium levels in your blood, so you need be cautious of how much you use.
To cut down the amount of sodium, try using tomato sauces with less sodium instead of ketchup.
When buying ketchup, choose ones that have less salt and look for reduced-sodium options.
5. Sauerkraut
Sauerkraut is a fermented cabbage dish that is often enjoyed as a side dish. Even though it has some health benefits because of its probiotic properties, it is also high in sodium.
During the fermentation process, salt is used to preserve sauerkraut and gives its distinctive flavor.
As a result, sauerkraut contains a significant amount of sodium.
If you enjoy sauerkraut, check your portion sizes and frequency of consumption.
Consider using smaller amounts as a garnish rather than consuming it as a main dish.
Additionally, look for low-sodium sauerkraut options in the grocery store.
6. Cheese Spreads
Cheese spreads are creamy and delicious, making them a popular choice for spreading on crackers.
The amount of sodium in cheese spreads can be different depending on the brand and kind of cheese used.
Processed cheese spreads usually have more sodium than natural cheeses. If you have hypernatremia, opt for natural cheeses with lower sodium content.
Hard cheeses like feta, swiss, and mozzarella, tend to be lower in sodium compared to processed cheese spreads.
You can also make your own cheese spreads at home using healthier ingredients and controlling the amount of salt added.
7. Bacon
Bacon is a popular food that is used in many dishes. You should be more cautious when eating bacon.
Bacon is preserved with salt, which means it has a lot of sodium in it.
To reduce your sodium intake, think of choosing lean protein sources like turkey without the skin. It might have less sodium.
Also, keep an eye on the portion sizes and how often you eat these sodium-rich foods.
8. Barbecue Sauce
Barbecue sauce is a tasty sauce that many people use to make roasted meats more flavorful.
While barbecue sauce can make your food taste better, it’s important to be aware of it’s high sodium content.
Barbecue sauce is made with a combination of ingredients, including tomatoes, sugar, vinegar, and spices.
Most store-bought barbecue sauces have extra salt added to make them taste better.
So if you have hypernatremia, you can choose low-sodium barbecue sauce options.
Alternatively, try making your own barbecue sauce at home using fresh ingredients and reducing the amount of salt added.
9. Packaged Muffins
Packaged muffins might seem like a convenient choice for breakfast, but they can be a problem for people with hypernatremia.
Packaged muffins have too much sodium, as well as added sugars and unhealthy fats. The high sodium content in packaged muffins is due to the use of baking soda.
If you have high sodium levels in your blood, it’s best to avoid eating too many packaged muffins and choose healthier options instead.
You can try making your own muffins at home using whole grain flours, natural sweeteners like honey, and less salt.
This way, you have control over the ingredients and can tailor the recipe to suit your dietary needs.
10. Mayonnaise
Mayonnaise is a creamy sauce that people use in sandwiches, salads, and sauces. It’s made by mixing oil, egg yolks, and lemon juice.
Although the ingredients used to make mayonnaise are generally not high in sodium, commercially made mayonnaise add salt to preserve it.
To manage the amount of sodium you take into your body, make your own mayonnaise at home using healthier oils.
If you want to add more taste to your sandwiches, try using different options instead of mayonnaise.
11. Salted Popcorn
Popcorn is regarded as a healthier snack option, but when it’s loaded with salt, it becomes a problem for people with hypernatremia.
Popcorn itself is a whole grain and can be a nutritious snack when prepared without excessive salt and unhealthy fats. But many packaged popcorn varieties are heavily salted.
To enjoy popcorn while managing your hypernatremia, consider opting for air-popped popcorn, which is low in sodium.
You can also make your own popcorn at home using plain kernels and adding flavorings such as herbs, spices, or nutritional yeast instead of salt.
12. Potato Chips
Potato chips are a tasty snack that people enjoy, and they have lots of salt in them. Avoid eating potato chips if you have hypernatremia.
Potato chips are usually cooked in hot oil and sprinkled with salt to give them flavor.
This means that each serving of potato chips contains a lot of sodium.
To satisfy your craving for a crunchy snack, consider carrot chips, which provides a similar texture and flavor with reduced sodium.
If you’re looking for a salty flavor without high sodium content, try using herbs, and spices to season your homemade snacks.
13. Smoked Salmon
Smoked salmon is a delicacy enjoyed by many, and it is high in sodium.
Smoking salmon involves a curing process that often includes the use of salt. This helps preserve the fish.
If you enjoy the taste of smoked salmon, it’s advisable to limit your consumption and opt for fresh salmon as a healthier alternative.
Fresh salmon is a really good food for your body because it has omega-3 fatty acids and protein.
The cool thing is that fresh salmon doesn’t contain sodium like smoked salmon does.
So if you want to eat something healthy without too much salt, fresh salmon is a great choice.
14. Mustard
Mustard is known for its tangy flavor and versatility. It contains vinegar, water, mustard seeds, and spices.
While these ingredients are relatively low in sodium, some commercially produced mustards may contain added salt. This result in a moderate amount of sodium per serving.
If you have hypernatremia, choose lower-sodium mustard options.
Takeaway: 14 High Sodium Foods to Avoid If You Have Hypernatremia
To manage hypernatremia, you need to pay close attention to how much sodium you eat. Limit eating foods that have lots of sodium.
By doing this, you can control your sodium levels and keep your body healthy.
When dealing with hypernatremia, opt for lean sources of protein, and make your own meals using condiments with less salt.
Remember to read food labels carefully, check portion sizes, and consider preparing meals at home using fresh ingredients to have better control over your sodium intake.
By making careful choices and focusing on a low-sodium diet, you can work towards improving your health and well-being.
