How to Reduce Salt Intake to Lose Belly Fat

Consuming large amounts of sodium on a daily basis isn't only bad for your heart, it can also make it harder for you to lose fat around your midsection. According to the American Heart Association, you're supposed to have less than 2,300mg of sodium daily, or less than 1,300mg of sodium if you're at a high risk of developing heart disease. You can reduce your salt intake by cutting back on foods that are high in cholesterol or contain trans or saturated fat, and by switching to low-fat milk and lean meat.

Instructions

• 1

  Reduce your unhealthy cholesterol intake. Unhealthy cholesterol contains low-density lipoproteins (LDLs), which build up in your arteries and can slow down blood flow. Foods that lower LDL levels include oatmeal, oat bran, walnuts, almonds, avocados, olives and vegetable oils.

• 2

  Choose lean meat. Lean cuts of beef, fish and skinless poultry are healthier choices than regular red meat due to their high sodium content.

• 3

  Switch from whole milk to low-fat milk. Low-fat dairy products contain significantly lower amounts of sodium, as well as less-saturated fat than their whole-milk counterparts.

• 4

  Eliminate trans and saturated fats from your diet. These unhealthy fats, found in processed foods and snack foods, often contain high amounts of sodium to maintain shelf life. Use vegetable oils when cooking rather than margarine and butter, which tend to be high in fat and sodium.