Are you watching your salt intake?  Did you know that eating a diet high in sodium is a key factor to high blood pressure, which can lead to major heart issues later on?  So what’s the big deal with sodium anyway?

Sodium is a major electrolyte; it’s role is to regulate fluid balance, and help with muscle contraction and nerve signaling. Because it affects fluid balance, sodium also affects your blood pressure. High-sodium diets are linked to higher blood pressure.

~ My Fitness Pal Blog

The majority of the sodium you get in a day comes from processed foods, which is why fresh is best!  Here’s a list of the top sodium culprits in our Western diets:

Want to cut down slowly (always the recommended route!)?  Try this plan: