Sodium

Dietary guidelines for sodium

Avoid excess sodium

Calcium graphic

Excess dietary sodium may increase the risk of stone formation because high levels of sodium (“salt”) increase the amount of calcium excreted into the urine. But how much sodium is too much? The Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) recommend no more than 1500 mg daily for most adults.

Keep in mind that salt from the salt shaker typically accounts for only 10% to 15% of daily sodium intake. The rest comes from the foods we eat—so monitoring nutrient labels, and limiting processed, convenience, and restaurant/takeout foods, as well as other high-sodium food choices (see table below), is key to successfully managing your daily sodium consumption.

For information on the sodium content of specific foods and brands, visit the USDA Nutrient Data Laboratory Web site: http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/foodcomp/search/ or http://www.ars.usda.gov/Services/docs.htm?
docid=20958
.

SODIUM-RICH FOODS1
FOOD ITEM SERVING SIZE SODIUM
CONTENT
(mg/serving)
Teriyaki barbecue marinade 1 fluid ounce 4554
Table salt 1 teaspoon 2300
Salt, onion 1 teaspoon 1587
Salt, celery 1 teaspoon 1495
Meats and fish, canned 3-1/2 ounces 1357 avg (621-4393)
Salt, seasoning 1 teaspoon 1288
Pizza, cheese 1/2 of 10-inch pizza 1127
Soups, canned 1 cup 1081 avg (644-3864)
Soy sauce 1 tablespoon 1035
Smoked link sausage, pork 1 link (2-1/2 oz) 1012
Pickles (all varieties) 1 large (3-1/2 oz) 920 avg (506-1426)
Cottage cheese, creamed 1 cup 851
Vegetable juices, canned 1 cup (8 oz) 736
Ham, cured, cooked 3-1/2 ounces 713
Frankfurter (all varieties) 1 frank (1-1/2 oz) 506 average
Cheese, processed 1 ounce 414 avg (391-437)
Vegetables, canned with salt 1/2 cup 368 avg (115-667)
Sausage, pork, cooked 1 patty (1 oz) 345
Bacon, cured, cooked 3 slices 345
Cheese food, processed 1 ounce 322 avg (253-437)
Chips and snacks 1 ounce 322 avg (138-851)
Salami (all varieties) 1 slice (1 oz) 299 average
Bologna (all varieties) 1 slice (1 oz) 276 average
Cheeses, natural 1 ounce 207 avg (46-460)
  1. Bradley L, et al. General guidelines in medical management. In: Resnick MI, Pak CYC, eds. Urolithiasis: A Medical and Surgical Reference. Philadelphia, PA; WD Saunders and Company; 2009:chap 11.

This information is intended to augment, not replace, the advice of your doctor. If you have any questions about this content, please talk to your doctor.