Salt-cutting tips

•Know how much sodium you’re eating – 2,300 milligrams a day is the upper limit for most people. Those with high blood pressure are urged to eat much less.

•Read food labels. Three-fourths of daily sodium intake comes from processed foods.

•Check for low- or reduced-sodium brands of your favorite foods.

•Cook from scratch whenever possible. Substitute garlic, sage and other herbs, for salt, or try salt-free seasonings like Mrs. Dash.

•Eat more fresh fruits and vegetables. Choose no-salt-added canned vegetables. Frozen vegetables seldom contain much salt.

•At a restaurant, ask for salad dressing and other sauces on the side, and ask that your food be prepared without salt or monosodium glutamate.