Reducing sodium is a proactive way to manage symptoms and improve quality of life if you’re living with transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM) — but it’s often easier said than done. Here are some small changes and tips that can add up to a big difference.
What is the recommended salt intake in ATTR-CM?
For people with heart disease, such as ATTR-CM, limiting sodium to 1,500 mg/day or less is generally recommended. That’s about two-thirds of a teaspoon of salt. (Table salt is only 40% sodium; the rest is chloride.)
If that sounds different than your current diet, you’re not alone. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), most people eat too much salt. Diets high in sodium are increasing the risks of cardiovascular disease, gastric cancer, obesity, kidney disease and osteoporosis worldwide.
Read more about ATTR-CM links and resources
Tips for reducing sodium in your diet
Your cardiologist or a dietitian experienced in ATTR-CM or heart failure will be able to help you with a daily meal plan of low-sodium, heart-healthy meals. Here are some tips to help ease the transition to eating less sodium:
Spend more time in the kitchen: It may sound surprising, but 77% of the sodium we eat is from food processing. Only 5% is added during cooking. Home-cooked meals made with fresh, whole ingredients are one of the best way to reduce salt.
Avoid processed food: Pre-prepared meals are usually heavy on salt, as are chips, crackers, and frozen burritos and pizza. Check labels to understand the salt content of packaged food. Look for “low sodium” or “no added salt.”
Avoid deli meats: Ham, turkey, salami and roast beef are high in sodium, to enhance flavor and act as a preservative.
Avoid sauces: Pre-prepared marinades, pasta sauces, salad dressings, gravy, teriyaki sauce and barbecue sauce all have added salt (and sugar). Either make your own with fresh ingredients and no salt, or try your meal without a sauce.
Be wary of breads: A single slice of bread doesn’t contain a large amount of sodium — usually 100 mg to 200 mg. But if you eat a bagel for breakfast, a sandwich with two slices of bread for lunch and two tortillas with your tacos for dinner, the numbers can start to add up. Consider swapping some bread out for whole grains, like oatmeal for breakfast and brown rice with dinner instead of a roll.
Sip soups selectively: Soups tend to be high in sodium, especially canned soups and those served in restaurants. The broths and stocks that form the base of many soups are also high in salt. Look for soups labeled as low-sodium, or make your own and go easy on the salt.
Discover new seasonings: Replace salt with other flavor enhancers to add depth and brightness to dishes, like vinegars, garlic, herbs, spices, pepper, onion, ginger or lemon juice.
Try new ways of cooking meat: Avoid cured or pickled options, and choose meat that is roasted, steamed, grilled or baked.
What happens if you eat too much sodium?
Consuming too much salt exacerbates many ATTR-CM symptoms — especially fluid retention, since sodium makes the body hold onto water. Symptoms of fluid retention include swelling (edema) in the feet and ankles, shortness of breath, congestion in the lungs, coughing, wheezing, bloating of the abdomen, fatigue and weakness.
Sign up here to get the latest news, perspectives, and information about ATTR-CM sent directly to your inbox. Registration is free and only takes a minute.
