During pregnancy, a low sodium diet
may be required for some women who are holding extra water in their bodies.
This condition is called pregnancy-induced hypertension, and can be very
dangerous to the mother and the baby. In many cases, a low sodium diet is
recommended to help relieve the condition. Sodium, or salt, as it is more
commonly called, causes the body to retain water, which in turn increases blood
pressure.
If you have been placed on a low
sodium diet during your pregnancy, or if you just want to improve your health
before or after pregnancy by following a low sodium diet, then read on for some
indispensable clues to following your low sodium diet!
The first step to compliance with a
low sodium diet is to analyze what your usual diet contains. For at least 24
hours, write down everything that you drink and eat, as well as the sodium
content of these foods. Ideally, you should be under the sodium limit that your
doctor has given you. Under 1,200 mg of salt is considered to be a low sodium
diet, in or out of pregnancy.
Chances are that you ate much more
sodium that was recommended. In or out of pregnancy, most people do not
naturally follow a low sodium diet. We tend to eat a variety of high sodium
foods, some of which do not even taste salty! A good place to start for your
pregnancy low sodium diet is to try not to eat fast food. Fast food is
inherently salty; fast food may be some of the saltiest food on the planet!
Another huge source of sodium in the
diet is from processed foods. Processed foods include most of the foods that
come packaged in boxes, cans, or bags. Many people eat exclusively processed
foods throughout the day; this does not help them to stay on their pregnancy
low sodium diet.
To decrease your overall intake of
sodium throughout the day, focus on eating fresh foods instead of packaged
foods. Fresh fruits and vegetables are fantastic, low sodium options that are
good for you and your baby. If you fill half of your plate with fruits and
vegetables before you eat other foods, chances are that you will have much less
room for all of the high sodium foods that you used to put on your plate.
The next simple step to follow your
pregnancy low sodium diet is to avoid adding extra salt to foods. Try a
sodium-free seasoning mix like Mrs. Dash, and pile on the flavor!
A few small changes can help you to
have a healthy pregnancy! A low sodium diet will help you to lower your blood
pressure to a healthy level.
