Diabetes and Salt
Having diabetes puts you at greater risk for high blood pressure. High levels of salt (sodium) in your diet can further increase that risk. So your doctor or dietitian may ask you to limit or avoid these high-salt foods:
- Salt and seasoned salt (or salt seasonings)
- Boxed mixes of potatoes, rice, or pasta
- Canned meats
- Canned soups and vegetables (with sodium)
- Cured or processed foods
- Ketchup, mustard, salad dressings, other spreads, and canned sauces
- Packaged soups, gravies, or sauces
- Pickled foods
- Processed meats: lunch meat, sausage, bacon, and ham
- Olives
- Salty snack foods
- Monosodium glutamate or MSG (often added to Chinese food)
- Soy and steak sauces
Low-Salt Cooking Tips for Diabetes
If you have diabetes, these tips can help you lower the amount of salt in your diet.
- Use fresh ingredients and/or foods with no salt added.
- For favorite recipes, you may need to use other ingredients and delete or decrease the salt you would normally add. Salt can be removed from any recipe except from those containing yeast.
- Try orange or pineapple juice as a base for meat marinades.
- Avoid convenience foods such as canned soups, entreés, and vegetables; pasta and rice mixes; frozen dinners; instant cereal; and pudding, gravy, and sauce mixes.
- Select frozen entrées that contain 600 milligrams or less of sodium. However, limit yourself to one of these frozen entreés per day. Check the Nutrition Facts label on the package for sodium content.
- Use fresh, frozen, no-added-salt canned vegetables, or canned vegetables that have been rinsed before they are prepared.
- Low-sodium canned soups may be used.
- Avoid mixed seasonings and spice blends that include salt, such as garlic salt.
Seasonings to Replace Salt
Herbs and spices are the answer to improving the natural flavors in food without using salt. These salt-free seasonings include:
- Basil
- Celery seeds
- Chili powder
- Chives
- Cinnamon
- Cocoa powder
- Cumin
- Curry
- Dill
- Flavoring extracts (vanilla, almond, etc.)
- Garlic
- Garlic powder
- Lemon or lime juice
- Marjoram
- Mint
- No-salt seasoning blends
- Nutmeg
- Onion powder
- Oregano
- Paprika
- Parsley
- Pepper
- Pimento
- Rosemary
- Sage
- Savory
- Thyme
Homemade herb and spice blends can help you cut down on your salt use. Below are some mixtures to use for meats, poultry, fish, vegetables, soups, and salads.
Spicy Blend
2 tablespoons dried savory, crumbled
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground white pepper
1 tablespoon dry mustard
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
2 1/2 teaspoons onion powder
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon curry powder
Saltless Surprise
2 teaspoons garlic powder
1 teaspoon basil
1 teaspoon oregano
1 teaspoon powdered lemon rind or dehydrated lemon juice
Herb Seasoning
2 tablespoons dried dill weed or basil leaves, crumbled
1 teaspoon celery seed
2 tablespoons onion powder
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano leaves, crumbled
A pinch of freshly ground pepper
Spicy Seasoning
1 teaspoon cloves
1 teaspoon pepper
2 teaspoons paprika
1 teaspoon coriander seed (crushed)
1 tablespoon rosemary
WebMD Medical Reference
Is This Normal?
Get the Facts Fast!Answer:
Your level is currently NormalHigh (hyperglycemia).Low (hypoglycemia). |
If the level is below 70 and you are experiencing symptoms such as shaking, sweating or difficulty thinking, you will need to raise the number immediately. A quick solution is to eat a few pieces of hard candy or 1 tablespoon of sugar or honey. Recheck your numbers again in 15 minutes to see if the number has gone up. If not, repeat the steps above or call your doctor.
People who experience hypoglycemia several times in a week should call their health care provider. It's important to monitor your levels each day so you can make sure your numbers are within the range. If you are pregnant always consult with your health care provider.
If the level is below 70 and you are experiencing symptoms such as shaking, sweating or difficulty thinking, you will need to raise the number immediately. A quick solution is to eat a few pieces of hard candy or 1 tablespoon of sugar or honey. Recheck your numbers again in 15 minutes to see if the number has gone up. If not, repeat the steps above or call your doctor.
People who experience hypoglycemia several times in a week should call their health care provider. It's important to monitor your levels each day so you can make sure your numbers are within the range. If you are pregnant always consult with your health care provider.
Your blood sugar level is slightly high. You should call your health care provider and ask if laboratory tests to check for diabetes are needed. If you are pregnant always consult with your health care provider.
Congratulations on taking steps to manage your health.
However, it's important to continue to track your numbers so that you can make lifestyle changes if needed. If you are pregnant always consult with your physician.
Your level is currently normal. However, if you are concerned about diabetes speak with your physician. There may be other risk factors that increase your risk for diabetes.
Your level is high if this reading was taken before eating. Aim for 70-130 before meals and less than 180 two hours after meals.
Even if your number is high, it's not too late for you to take control of your health and lower your blood sugar.
One of the first steps is to monitor your levels each day. If you are pregnant always consult with your physician.
Your blood sugar level may be high, depending on when you last ate. If you have not eaten for at least 8 hours, your blood sugar should be less than 100. If you've eaten within the last 2 hours, your blood sugar should be less than 140. You should call your health care provider and ask if you need laboratory tests to check for diabetes. If you are pregnant always consult with your health care provider.
Blood sugars consistently above 180 warrant prompt medical attention.
Even if your number is high, it's not too late for you to take control of your health and lower your blood sugar.
One of the first steps is to monitor your levels each day. If you are pregnant always consult with your physician.
Your blood sugar level is high. You should call your health care provider and ask if laboratory tests to check for diabetes are needed. If you are pregnant always consult with your health care provider.
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This tool is not intended for women who are pregnant.
