Being aware of these ingredients helps consumers to make better choices in their everyday lives. Use this information to make educated choices about your diet and to help you to identify and choose nutrient dense foods.


Excess Sodium...
Sodium is an essential mineral, needed for many bodily functions. However, when eaten in excess it can lead to health problems like high blood pressure. Packaged, processed, and restaurant prepared foods are the main source of sodium in the American diet. So even if you never use the salt shaker at the table, you are likely consuming excess sodium through processed foods alone. According to the CDC, the average American consumes roughly 3,400 mg of sodium per day. Reducing sodium intake to 2,300mg is shown to be an effective strategy to reduce blood pressure, helping to prevent heart attacks and stroke. Start by focusing on fresh, whole foods and read labels on packaged and prepared foods. When cooking, reach for fresh herbs, spices and vegetables for flavor instead of salt! Watch out for sauces and condiments. Drain and rinse canned items to reduce the sodium content by 40%. Stop adding salt to pasta water, you will likely add sauce and seasonings later on in the preparation process. Over time your tastebuds can adjust to a diet lower in salt, and you will even start to prefer it!