Excess sodium (from salt) in your diet can lead to health problems. Below you will find reasons to reduce your sodium intake, as well as some tips to curb common cravings for salt. It is helpful for cancer patients, cancer survivors, and caregivers to be more aware of their sodium intake in order to optimize their nutritional health.
Decrease Blood Pressure
High blood pressure is a medical concern for many people. While the cause of high blood pressure, or hypertension, can run in the family, lifestyle choices can make a drastic difference. Salt intake is a major factor in high blood pressure. Sodium causes your kidneys to hold onto water. This extra water can put a strain on many organs in your body, including your heart, which can increase your blood pressure.1 Whether you are currently undergoing cancer treatment, or are a cancer survivor, it is recommended to avoid unnecessary sodium in your diet to help prevent high blood pressure in the future.
Minimize Swelling
Cancer treatments and medications can occasionally cause swelling, or edema, which is very uncomfortable.2 Edema can make it difficult to do everyday tasks, such as walking or standing. Excess sodium can cause you to retain water in your legs, which can cause or worsen swelling. 2 Whether you have edema from cancer treatment, or swelling for other medical reasons, limiting your sodium intake can increase your quality of life and help you to function more easily.
Tips for Cooking with Less Sodium
There are many easy ways to flavor foods without having to add unneeded salt:
Use vegetables (onions, garlic, carrots, and celery), herbs, lemon juice, and vinegars to flavor your food.
Remove the salt shaker from your table. This will prevent you from adding salt to your food as you are eating.
Buy fresh or frozen vegetables, in place of canned vegetables. If you are using canned vegetables, make sure you drain and rinse before using.
Drain and rinse canned beans or prepare and soak dried beans.
Choose low-sodium food options, such as soy sauce, tomato sauce and salad dressing.
Limit processed meats, such as bacon, sausage, canned meats and hot dogs.
Choose unprocessed foods, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean meats, which are naturally low in sodium.
Make your own vegetable or chicken broth if soup is comforting during treatment.
Putting It into Practice
While chicken soup is comforting and soothing when you are sick, it can be high in sodium because of the broth. Making your own stock, like in the recipe below, decreases the sodium substantially, but also gives the soup a lighter flavor. Not only is this soup low in sodium, it is high in protein and fiber, two nutrients that are helpful to a cancer patient during treatment.
Vegetable Chicken Soup
Serves 6
Ingredients:
1 whole chicken, cut into parts
6 carrots, chopped
4 celery ribs, chopped
2 medium-size white onions halved
1⁄2 garlic head, sliced
2 bay leaves
4 whole peppercorns
Pinch of salt
1 bunch of spinach or swiss chard, chopped
Handful of chopped fresh parsley, thyme, or dill
Directions:
1. Place the chicken, two-thirds of the carrots, and the celery, onions, garlic, bay leaves, peppercorns, and a pinch of salt in a large pot. Fill the pot with cold water to cover, then bring to a boil over high heat.
2. Lower the heat to a simmer and cook for 1 hour, skimming off the fat from time to time.
3. After 1 hour, drain the stock into a separate pot. Discard the vegetables. Let the chicken cool, then chop the meat into bite-size pieces.
4. Add the chicken pieces, remaining chopped carrot, and greens to the stock. Place over medium heat and simmer for 20 to 30 minutes.
5. Serve and garnish with your choice of herb.
Excerpted from The Meals to Heal Cookbook by Susan Bratton and Jessica Iannotta, MS, RD, CSO, CDN. Copyright © 2016. Available from Da Capo Lifelong Books an imprint of Perseus Books, LLC, a subsidiary of Hachette Book Group, Inc.
Whether or not you are undergoing cancer treatment, there are many benefits to decreasing your sodium intake. Making small changes, such as using low sodium condiments and limiting processed meats, can make a big difference in the amount of sodium you consume and benefit your health. Many of these changes are so small, that you and your family won’t notice the change, but rather will enjoy a tasty and healthier bite.
*Susan Bratton and Jessica Iannotta