You probably know that too much salt is bad for you. But even if you are passing on high-sodium foods and shaking your salt habit at the table, you are probably still eating more sodium than you think.

Keep Sodium to a Minimum
Studies show most of us eat two to three times the amount of sodium considered to be healthy. Experts advise that people with heart failure eat no more than 2,000 milligrams (mg) of sodium daily.

While you expect salty foods, such as pretzels, to contain lots of sodium, it also pops up in a lot of places you probably would not suspect. Biscuits, bagels, and other baked goods are usually high in sodium. Other culprits you may not think of include canned beans and vegetables, unless you are choosing unsalted versions, and most packaged or frozen dinners.

Surprisingly High-Sodium Foods

• Rye bread (1 slice): 211 mg
• Chocolate pudding (½ cup): 417 mg
• American cheese (1 oz.): 422 mg
• Fried fish fillet, breaded, or battered: 484 mg
• Baked beans (1 cup): 856 mg
• Canned chunky vegetable soup (1 cup): 1,010 mg
• Tomato pasta sauce (1 cup): 1,203 mg