The general RDA for sodium is 2400 mg, which is the amount in 1 teaspoon (5g) table salt (sodium chloride). Requirement will go up when you're sweating or otherwise losing a lot of fluids. Always avoid dehydration.

The thing with processed food isn't just the salt .. which there's too much for sure! But other additives and preservatives also yield sodium ... sodium citrate, sodium benzoate, sodium nitrate, sodium erythorbate, sodium phosphate ... sodium bicarbonate (a.k.a. baking soda) .. the list goes on and on.

Definitely eating less processed food is a good idea ... or look for salt-reduced versions. Actually, I've found that salt-reduced bacon tends to also have less or even no sugar in it. Only caveat is that it has a much shorter shelf life ..

Although cutting back on sodium is always a good idea, it's also really important to ensure that potassium levels are adequate. Potassium works with sodium to balance fluid levels inside and outside the cells. Using a salt-substitute that contains potassium salt is a good idea. I mix NoSalt 50:50 with sea salt .. it works just fine in cooking, doesn't go cloudy or anything like that. Also, choose foods that are naturally high in potassium ...

• 1 can (7 oz/ 200g) sockeye salmon - 1,391mg
• 1 medium california avocado - 1,097mg
• 1/2 pkg (5 oz/ 140g) spinach - 824mg
• 1 medium stalk broccoli - 526mg
• 1/3 cup natural sunflower seed kernels - 331mg
• 1/2 cup canned diced tomatoes - 290mg
• 1 Tbsp unsw. cocoa powder - 254mg
• 2 Tbsp peanut butter - 214mg
• 1/8 tsp potassium-salt substitute - 325 to 500mg
  
  (all values from our carb counter tool)

hth,

Doreen