| Strategies for sodium reduction that can be communicated quickly to patients |
- Make reading food labels a habit
- Stick to fresh foods (eg, meats, fruits, and vegetables) rather than their packaged counterparts
- Avoid spices and seasonings that contain added sodium
- Check restaurant websites before dining out; request that your food be prepared without any added salt
- In 6 to 8 weeks, one can adjust to eating less salt
- Cook rice, pasta, and hot cereals without salt
- Choose ready-to-eat breakfast cereals that are lower in sodium
- Choose "convenience" foods that are lower in sodium
- Rinse canned foods to remove some sodium
- When available, buy low-sodium, reduced-sodium, or no-sodium versions of foods
|
| Features of an effective counseling session |
- Assess readiness for change
- Discuss importance of reduced sodium intake
- Discuss overall concept of DASH diet and give tips for successful adoption
- Assess patient barriers to adherence, and give tips for better adherence
- Set goal(s)
- Distribute written material
|
| Tools needed for an effective counseling session |
- Assessment of readiness for change
- Attitude that sodium reduction is possible
- Assessment for barriers to eating well
- Assessment for literacy and numeracy
- Sample food label
- Written material
|
