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11 Tips on Balancing Sodium and Potassium in Your Diet

Sodium, found outside cells, and potassium, found mainly inside cells, are minerals that work together to maintain fluid balance in the body. They are also involved in the regulation of muscle contractions and nerve transmissions and play an important role in controlling blood pressure. Here is some advice on lowering sodium and increasing potassium in your diet. 1.  Consume no more than 1,500 mg of sodium a day  (approximately two-thirds tsp of salt). While this recommendation previously applied only to those with hypertension (with 2,300 mg of sodium as the goal for the general public), the benefits of this lower limit for all individuals have been recognized. 2.  Don't add salt to foods.    3.  Shop for fresh foods rather than processed foods  that are high in sodium. For instance, choose fresh or frozen vegetables over the canned variety. 4.  Eat more meals at home , where you have more control over the sodium content of your food. 5.  Flavor foods with herbs, spi