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As printed in Hearing Health, volume 20:1,
Spring 2004
By George A. Gates, M.D.
Limiting sodium to 1000-2000 mg per day often helps
alleviate symptoms of Meniere’s disease. Although
restricting salt intake requires considerable effort,
the rewards are well worth it. Alec N. Salt, Ph.D.,
of the Cochlear Fluids Research Laboratory at Washington
University in St. Louis offers these helpful hints.
- Refrain from eating out frequently; most restaurant
food is salted.
- Do not add salt at the table.
- Reduce the amount of salt used in food preparation.
Try 1/2 teaspoon when recipes call for 1 teaspoon.
- Many cakes and desserts can be prepared without
adding salt.
- Use herbs and spices for flavoring meats and vegetables
instead of salt.
- Avoid salty foods (processed meat and fish, pickles,
soy sauce, salted nuts, chips, etc.)
- Check package labels for nutritional information
before you buy or consume any product. Note both sodium
content and portion size. Many high-salt products
show relatively low sodium values based on very small
servings.
- Be aware that a low-salt diet can be overdone with
possible ill effects. If your vestibular symptoms
persist, do not keep decreasing your intake. Consult
with your doctor to determine your optimum sodium
level.
A Sodium Sampler
These values are a guide. Note that percentages are
based on recommended intake levels for a low sodium
rather than standard diet. For a more complete list,
visit Dr Salt’s website at http://oto.wustl.edu/men/sodium.htm.
| Food |
Milligrams of Sodium per 100g (3.5 oz.) Serving
|
% of TOTAL Daily Recommended Sodium Intake (1,500
mg) for Individuals with MD |
| Canadian bacon |
2,500 |
166% |
| Green olives |
2,400 |
160% |
| Popcorn, salted with oil |
1,940 |
129% |
| Corned beef |
1,740 |
116% |
| Pickles, dill |
1,428 |
95% |
| Cheese, processed |
1,189 |
79% |
| Saltines |
1,100 |
73% |
| Cereal, wheat flakes |
1,000 |
67% |
| Tuna in oil |
800 |
53% |
| Pizza, cheese |
702 |
47% |
| Peanut butter |
607 |
40% |
| Doughnuts |
500 |
33% |
| Rolls, bread or sweet |
400 to 500 |
27- 33% |
| Pancakes |
425 |
28% |
| Cottage cheese |
406 |
27% |
| Oatmeal cookies |
170 |
11% |
| Shrimp |
150 |
10% |
| Ice cream, vanilla |
87 |
6% |
| Turkey |
82 |
5% |
| Egg, uncooked |
74 |
5% |
| Milk |
50 |
3% |
| Yogurt |
46 |
1% |
| Broccoli, cooked |
10 |
<1% |
| Lettuce |
9 |
<1% |
| Avocado |
4 |
<1% |
| Spaghetti noodles, dry |
2 |
<1% |
| Coffee |
1 |
<1% |
| Apple, raw unpeeled |
1 |
<1% |
| Pecans, shelled |
0 |
0% |
Related Article:
Meniere’s in
2004
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