How do I eat less salt?

Healthy kidneys can get rid of too much sodium (salt) in your body, but when kidneys do not work well, sodium and fluid can build up. This can cause high blood pressure, swollen ankles, puffiness, shortness of breath, and fluid around the heart and lungs. Ask your healthcare provider or dietitian how much salt (sodium) is okay for you daily. Check food labels, especially on canned, processed, and frozen foods. They have lots of salt. Other ways to manage salt intake include the following:

Cook with herbs and spices instead of salt. Giving up salt does not mean giving up flavor.
Read food labels and choose foods low in sodium.
When eating out, order meat or fish without salt. Ask for gravy or sauce on the side because these may contain lots of salt and should be used in small amounts.
Limit canned, processed, and frozen foods. They have a lot of salt.
Avoid salt substitutes and specialty low-sodium foods made with salt substitutes because these are high in potassium.
Talk to a dietitian or other member of your healthcare team if you have any questions or need more tips.