Page 4

NUTRITION LABELS

Imagine a nutrition label from a can of "No Sodium Added" soup. It might say that a serving size is one cup, that there are two servings per container, and that there are 50 milligrams of sodium.

In this can, there are 50 milligrams of sodium PER serving. Since we can see that there are TWO servings in this entire can, we can multiply 50 by two, and so there are 100 milligrams of sodium in the entire can. Remember, sodium intake should be no more than 1,500 milligrams per day. So this can of soup, with only 100 milligrams of sodium, would be a good thing to eat.

Foods to stay away from include any prepared foods without nutrition labels; fast foods; pizza; cold cuts, like bologna and salami; cheeses, including cottage cheese; BBQ foods like hot dogs; condiments like BBQ sauce, soy sauce, ketchup, garlic salt, mustard, relish, and Worcestershire sauce; pickles and olives; all canned foods unless they say "no sodium;" frozen foods like TV dinners or anything with a sauce; salted snacks like popcorn, pretzels, chips, crackers, and nuts; and packages of instant pudding, cocoa, and oatmeal. Again, the key is to check the nutrition label if you're not sure.

There are lots of foods to enjoy that are low in sodium or don't have any sodium at all in them. These include fresh fruits and vegetables, lean meats (such as chicken), fish, baked or boiled potatoes, whole grains (such as barley, wheat, and brown rice), and any unsalted snacks, pasta, or oatmeal. Spices like garlic, fresh herbs, pepper, lemon, or Mrs. Dash can give foods more flavor.

Think about what foods your family eats on holidays or at get-togethers. Foods that are usually found on hors d'oeuvres trays, and holiday hams are examples of foods to avoid. Your loved one needs your support to plan ahead for those occasions, so that low-sodium options are available. Even if you're going out dinner together, know what choices are available before you go. Always ask about low-sodium alternatives.

Another very important guideline for CHF that goes hand-in-hand with a low-sodium diet is weighing oneself every day. Gaining sudden weight means that the body may be holding on to too much liquid, which can mean that the heart is not working as well as it should be. This could be an indication that the CHF is getting worse. If there is a weight gain of two pounds in one day or three pounds in five days, call the doctor right away.