Sodium: Sodium restriction is necessary when the body retains sodium and water causing oedema or ‘swelling’. Sodium is found in almost all foods but in different amounts. Protein foods are naturally high in sodium. Some vegetables and seafoods are also high in sodium content. Fruits in general have a low content of sodium.

FOODSTUFFS HIGH IN SODIUM

Baking soda

Salt

Ajinomoto

Salted wafers, popcorns, salted biscuits.

Papads – all varieties.

Salted pickles, chutneys, curry powder – commercial.

Commercial salad dressings and sauces.

Soup cubes.

Soft drinks containing sodium benzoate.

Bakery products, bread , biscuits.

Nuts such as salted cashewnuts, pistachio, walnuts, peanuts.

Commercial cheese.

Preservative containing foods.

Canned and tinned foods.

Sea food, chicken, dry fish, bacon, ham .

Meat and yeast extracts like marmite.

Proprietary drinks – Bournvita , chocolate drinks , Horlicks.

Milk and curds.

Pulses and legumes – all varieties.

Vegetables such as – cauliflower , snakegourd , beetroot , carrot , coriander leaves, fenugreek(methi) leaves, lettuce ,spinach(palak) ,amaranth, radish

Potassium: In patients with CRF, the ability to eliminate excessive amounts of potassium is decreased. If the potassium level in the blood is elevated, it causes complications. Potassium is found naturally in almost all foods of both plant and animal origin. Salt substitutes in the market may contain potassium and labels should be checked. Two methods of reducing potassium (leaching) in the foods are given below:

• Method 1: Wash, peel and cut vegetables into small pieces. Soak in warm water for 2-3 hours. Discard water. Add large volume of fresh water and cook vegetables. Discard water.
• Method 2:Peel vegetables and cut into small pieces. Bring to a boil in a large quantity of water. Discard water and cook in a large volume of fresh water. Discard excess water.

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Last updated on 26-03-2001