Understand the sodium number on a food label
Read sodium in milligrams and compare like portions.
Sodium is a mineral. Table salt contains sodium and chloride. They are not two names for the same thing.
On US labels, sodium is shown in milligrams, or mg. The % Daily Value gives context: 5% or less is low; 20% or more is high per serving.
A made-up label shows 200 mg per cup. Two cups have 400 mg. Compare foods using the same amount.
- Read serving size, sodium in mg and % Daily Value.
- Check whether you are using a serving or whole-pack column.
- Ask ChatGPT to explain those values without setting a personal limit.
- Check the arithmetic on a calculator and keep any limit from your care team.
Explain this made-up label: sodium 200 mg per cup. What is sodium, and how much is in two cups? Use plain words. Do not guess the printed % Daily Value or choose a limit for me.
Paste the message into ChatGPT, then fill in any blanks before you send it. ChatGPT opens in a new tab. Opening it does not send the message.
Do not judge sodium by taste alone. A food can contain sodium without tasting very salty.
Sources and more help
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