What are the general limits?
The U.S. Daily Value is less than 2,300 mg sodium per day. WHO recommends less than 2,000 mg per day for adults. These are general limits, not amounts you need to reach.
Use an individual target if your clinician has given you one. Some medical conditions and situations involving prolonged heavy sweating need more specific guidance.
Is sodium the same as salt?
No. Table salt contains sodium and chloride. About 5 g salt contains 2,000 mg sodium. Food labels in different countries may show sodium or salt, so check the label before comparing.
How do you read sodium on a label?
Find sodium in milligrams and check the serving size. A soup with 700 mg per serving contains 1,400 mg if you eat two servings. The sodium portion calculator handles that multiplication for two foods.
% Daily Value offers a quick comparison: the FDA describes 5% DV or less as low and 20% or more as high per serving. It is a label reference, not a personal meal allowance.
How do you choose a lower-sodium restaurant meal?
- Compare similar portions instead of a small side with a full meal.
- Include sauces, dressings and sides in the total.
- Check cured meats, cheese, soups and seasoned entrées.
- Ask about a sauce separately when the restaurant can accommodate it.
Changes are not always reflected in a standard menu total. The restaurant is the best source for what can be changed and whether updated nutrition is available. Our lower-sodium filter means lower within the selected options, not suitable for every medical diet.
Does water cancel out a salty meal?
No. Drinking water does not remove the sodium from the food you ate. Return to your normal routine and use the pattern across your meals to guide future choices.
A meal cooked at home is not automatically low in sodium either. Ingredients, portions and the rest of the day still count. If you have a prescribed sodium limit, follow it rather than using this general guide.