Sodium is a mineral that your body need in only very small amounts. Most Americans consume 10 to 15 times more sodium than they need.

Eating too much sodium can be unhealthy for some people. It may contribute to high blood pressure. In fact, reducing the amount of sodium in your diet is an important part of treating high blood pressure.

Here are some tips to help you reduce the sodium in your diet.

The American Heart Association guidelines suggest consuming no more than a teaspoon of salt.

Use less salt or no salt at the table and in cooking.

Use herbs and spices in the place of salt. Refer to the herb and seed chart. Limit your intake of foods high in added sodium:

Canned and dried soups.

Canned vegetables.

Ketchup and mustard.

Salty snack foods.

Olives and pickles.

Luncheon meats and coldcuts.

Bacon and other cured meats.

Cheeses.

Restaurant and carry-out foods (such as French fries, onion rings, hamburgers).

You can reduce the salt in canned vegetables by draining the liquid and then rinsing them in water before eating.

Look for "unsalted" varieties of the canned foods and snack foods listed above. Some foods may be labeled "no salt" or "without added salt."

Ask restaurants not to add salt to your order.

Even bakery products and cereals can be major sources of sodium in the diet. So read the labels of all foods carefully.