If I receive meals from Meals On Wheels but have been given restrictions for a Sodium-Controlled diet, can I still receive food from Meals on Wheels? YES!
Meals On Wheels Recommended Meal Plan
Regular diet with beverage choice of one of the following: Skim milk, Low Fat Milk, or Calcium/Vitamin D Orange Juice.
Diet Implications
What is sodium and why is it an important factor for one’s diet?
Sodium, commonly referred to as salt, is a mineral that works to promote good health. Limiting amounts of sodium will help with future complications of hypertension, also known as high blood pressure. High blood pressure may lead to further health risks, including heart attacks, strokes, or kidney failure. Sodium is a regulator of fluid control for body cells, which means the right amount of sodium will prevent body swelling and keep cells functioning properly.
What makes up a sodium-controlled diet?
Monitoring sodium in the diet may be difficult since salt is seen abundantly in many foods, especially processed or packaged foods. With no conscience effort, it is easy to go far above the suggested dietary allowance for sodium.
The U.S. consensus for moderate sodium intake is 2,400 milligrams/day. Diets that are restricted to 2,000 mg/day make it even more important to include as many low-salted foods as possible. Currently, the average sodium intake in the U.S. is 5,000 mg, which greatly exceeds the RDA’s recommendations.
As a general rule, to follow a sodium-controlled diet, choose fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables (instead of canned), fresh meat, poultry, and fish, foods with low sodium content, do not add salt during preparation, and avoid foods that have salt you can see, like pretzels or crackers. It is important for individual patients to seek a doctor’s approval for a sodium-controlled diet depending upon their current nutritional status.
How is Meals On Wheels helping my sodium-controlled diet?
Meals On Wheels delivers food made with an abundance of nutrients essential for the body. In respect to sodium content, Meals On Wheels meets at least 1/3 of the Daily Recommended Dietary Allowance for males 51 years and older, with 1,000 milligrams per meal, on average. There is no additive salt during preparation of meals. Meals On Wheels also tries to include as many salt free products as possible. On average, Meals On Wheels’ breakfasts have 700 mg of this only equates to 1,700 mg of sodium for the day’s entire dietary allowance. This provides an allotted 700 mg, for a 2,400 mg sodium diet, to be used sparingly from sources outside Meals On Wheels for other meals and snacks.
What are the guidelines for specific sodium-restricted diets?
4,000 mg Sodium Diet (No Added Salt Diet)
- Do not add salt during preparation or eating and avoid
- high-sodium foods.
- Replace salt with spices and herbs.
3,000 mg Sodium Diet
- Enjoy all desserts and sweets.
- Stay away from rolls and instant hot cereals.
- Avoid smoked, cured, salted, or canned meat.
- Eat any kind of fruit or vegetable. 2,000 mg Sodium Diet
2,000 mg Sodium Diet
- Eliminate foods and beverages processed or prepared with additive salt.
- Limit milk and milk products to 16 ounces daily. Replace foods with low-sodium versions whenever available.
- Enjoy enriched bread, fresh/frozen meats, fruits, and vegetables.
- Avoid canned foods, bread rolls, and meat-containing salad dressings.
* A diet restricted to less than 1,000 mg of sodium/day is for inpatient care and not for a long-term basis.