Teaching Patients about a Low-Sodium Diet

Paper Summary:

This paper presents information about how sodium in the diet can affect a person's blood pressure. The paper provides information that would be particularly useful to patients who suffer from high blood pressure and then discusses specific foods to be aware of and how to reduce sodium in a regular diet. It also looks briefly at the recommended daily allowance for sodium.

Table of Contents:
Introduction
What Is a Low-Sodium Diet?
Steps to Reduce Sodium in the Diet
Recommended Daily Allowance for Low-Sodium Diet
Foods Low in Sodium
Potassium: A Good Salt Substitute
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"As a comparison, using fresh rather than canned food can have a dramatic effect on sodium intake. Fresh tomatoes have only about 10mg of sodium apiece, whereas one half cup of canned tomatoes can have as much as 370 mg.
"It is also helpful to go through the sodium content of fast foods with the patient, in order to educate them on the high amount of salt that these restaurants put in their dishes. Anne Collins estimates that a chicken filet sandwich has nearly 1,000 mg. of sodium. Those on a low-salt diet would therefore use up their entire salt 'budget' on one item of food!"

Sample of Sources Used:

• Clark, N. (2003). Nancy Clark's sports nutrition guidebook. Human Kinetics.p.43.
• Houston, M. C. (1986, 1 January). Sodium and hypertension: A review. Archives of Internal Medicine, 146(1), p. 1.
• NIH Update. (1998, August 17). Statement on sodium intake and high blood pressure. Retrieved May 31, 2007, from http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/new/press/17-1998.htm
• Report sets dietary intake levels for water, salt and potassium to maintain health and reduce chronic disease risk. (2004, February 11). The National Academy of Sciences. Retrieved May 31, 2007, from http://www8.nationalacademies.org/onpinews/newsitem.aspx?RecordID=10925

More papers on Teaching Patients about a Low-Sodium Diet:

• Persuasive Essay # 133823 : "Patient Teaching about a Low-Sodium Diet"
• Research Proposal # 147924 : "Low Sodium Diet and CHF Patients"
• Comparison Essay # 85717 : "Low Sodium and Hypertension"

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