A new study of 5,000 Americans done by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that 9 out of 10 people eat too much salt every day. While the recommended daily intake of sodium is 1,500-2,300 milligrams (mg), study participants ate 3,500mg daily on average. The report notes that most sodium does not come from salty food, but instead from processed grains that do not taste salty. Click here to read more. If you are interested in controlling your sodium intake, click here for an extensive list of low sodium recipes from the Mayo Clinic.

Sodium is a necessary part of a balanced diet. It’s essential to help the body maintain a balanced fluid level, and it keeps nerves and muscles functioning properly. However, while the Food and Drug Administration recommends no more than 2,400 mg (less than 1 teaspoon) of table salt a day, many of us consume excessive amounts without even realizing it, because it’s hidden in the foods we buy. Consuming too much sodium can lead to high blood pressure and even trigger a stroke or heart attack. Here’s a slideshow of 25 foods that contain high levels of sodium that you may want to avoid. Be sure to read the descriptions on the right hand side for details and even tips for alternative foods.

Many dishes in Chinese cuisine carry an overload of calories, fat and sodium. Here are a few tips to keep the fat and calories down when dining at a Chinese restaurant. Photo by: Students of Consumer Science, RMIT University

Excess salt can lead to excess fluid retention in the blood, which can increase blood pressure. A recent report in the New England Journal of Medicine concludes that if everyone in the United States consumed half a teaspoon less of salt every day, the number of new cases of coronary heart disease, stroke, heart attacks and related deaths would drop significantly every year. Read more.