Low-Sodium Food List, Free Printable PDF

If you counsel clients on blood pressure or heart health, you know the hardest part is not the advice, it is making it stick at the grocery store. This printable low-sodium food list is built for exactly that moment. Hand it to a client and they walk into the store knowing what to reach for.

Why a low-sodium list helps your clients

Most people take in far more sodium than they need, and the majority of it comes from packaged and restaurant foods, not the salt shaker. A clear, organized list of lower-sodium choices by food group turns a vague goal into a plan your clients can follow on their own.

The best low-sodium foods by group

Fresh produce is naturally low in sodium, so fruits and most vegetables are a safe starting point. For proteins, reach for fresh or frozen poultry, fish, eggs, and dried or no-salt-added canned beans. For dairy, plain milk and yogurt come in lower than most cheeses. For grains, choose plain rice, oats, and pasta over seasoned mixes. The printable breaks each group down so your clients see the pattern, not just a few items to memorize.

What to watch on the label

Teach your clients to read the milligrams of sodium per serving and aim for foods with less than 140 mg per serving where they can. Watch the quiet sources too: bread, deli meat, canned soup, sauces, and cheese add up fast even when nothing tastes salty.

It pairs well with our low-sodium grocery list if you want a companion handout for the store trip. And if your group needs this as a laminated poster or a branded handout pack for a whole class or clinic, we carry those in the Nutrition Education Store.

Download and print

Grab the free PDF, print as many copies as you need, and keep a stack in your office or clinic.