Summary: Beware of Sodium and Hidden Allergens in your BBQ
Too much salt puts you at risk for serious medical conditions like high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke.
Ingredients with Sodium
- Prepared tomato products (ketchup, sauces, drinks)- 160mg/tbsp
- Soda- 45mg/can
- Salad dressings (especially Italian)- 300-500mg/2 tbsp
- Hot Dogs- up to 780mg/each
- Pickle relish- 227mg/ounce
- Chicken (many raw chicken products are soaked in a solution, usually a salt water marinade for flavor and moistness)- 150-300mg/piece
- Baked beans- 1100mg/cup
- Potato and macaroni salads- 500-600mg/cup
- Sausages- up to 780mg/each
- Cheese (especially processed cheese)- 200mg/slice
- "Low Fat" foods (salt is used to make up for flavor loss)- 150-200mg/tbsp
- Cured meats (like bacon and salami)- 200-300mg/slice
Ingredients with Allergens
- Green beans (with added seasonings/toppings)
- Mixed salads- may contain nuts, gluten, corn
- Breads- wheat, gluten
- Oil- on grill from seafood or any oils mixing from other grilled foods
- Salad dressings- nuts, corn, gluten
Recommended Sodium Intake
- 2,300mg/day or
- 1,500mg/day if over age 51, African American, or have high blood pressure, diabetes or kidney disease
Sodium and Your Health
In addition to standard high blood pressure (hypertension), pulmonary hypertension (PH) is high blood pressure in the lungs, which also affects the heats. Symptoms include:
- Shortness of breath
- Low oxygen levels
- Chest pain
- Near-fainting/fainting
- Heart rhythm problems
- Possible heart failure
Too much sodium can worsen PH.
More Information Sodium and Allergens
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