Many people eat far more sodium than they need — with processed foods contributing as much as 75 percent of the sodium in the typical American diet. Try to stick to less than 2300 mg per day — or 1,500 mg if you're age 51 or older.
To reduce the salt in your diet, try these tips:
Eat more fresh foods, such as fresh fruits, vegetables, lean meats, poultry, fish and unprocessed grains. (Only a small amount of sodium is found naturally in these foods.)
Replace traditional high-sodium foods with low-sodium products or products without added salt.
When eating out, request that salt not be added to your food. Ask for sauces and salad dressings on the side so that you can control the amount you use.
Use herbs and spices — rather than salt — to flavor your food.