The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend consuming less than 2,300 milligrams of sodium per day—or less than one teaspoon—but those with high blood pressure or heart and kidney failure may benefit from even less2, aka a low-sodium diet. When following a low-sodium diet, it’s best to make a majority of your meals at home with whole foods. More than 70% of sodium consumed by Americans comes from prepackaged meals, processed foods, and restaurants, according to a study published in Circulation, a journal by the American Heart Association (AHA). An easy way to stick to your sodium limit is by investing in the best low-sodium meal delivery services. Whether you want to improve your culinary skills with a meal kit or save time with packaged entrees prepared with minimal salt, these services make it a breeze for you to limit your sodium. For our breakdown, we considered a low-sodium entree one with less than 600 milligrams per serving. While some meal delivery companies set their own limits for sodium intake, this filter allows us to recommend brands that may not directly feature low-sodium options but still cater to this way of eating. If the overall convenience of grab-n-go is worth it for you, you’ll also be relieved to know the entire lineup is GMO-free, gluten-free, and soy-free, as well as low in sugar and sodium. Add the low-sodium filter to take the vetting one step further, which removes any items with more than 12% of your daily sodium value. Example Meals:
- Roasted cauliflower grain bowl (270 mg)
- Tanger ginger noodles (200 mg)
- Butternut turmeric soup (280 mg) Sustainability & Quality: While Splendid Spoon offers 100% recyclable packaging, only commit if you’re ready to adequately rinse and sort it, as items are packaged individually in plastic. The brand has also made huge strides in sustainability since launching: It switched to climacell recyclable insulation, reduced carbon emissions with a new factory, and replaced gel packs with dry ice to reduce waste. Cost: From $9 per serving Don’t miss our full Splendid Spoon review. Crafted by professional chefs, these prepackaged meals are entirely gluten-free and delivered fresh. Simply pop in the microwave or oven for a speedy reheat, and prepare to enjoy a variety of nutritious recipes. Example Meals:
- Chimichurri braised beef with brown rice and veggies (510 mg)
- Lentils and herb roasted potatoes with remoulade sauce (470 mg)
- Romesco salmon with cauliflower and sweet potatoes (470 mg) Sustainability & Quality: Expect whole, organic foods in every meal with the service’s entirely GMO-free menu. The brand links with suppliers who practice humane animal treatment and make note of sustainably sourced seafood, such as shrimp and salmon. Each single serving arrives in a BPA-free and recyclable tray. Cost: From $8 per serving Apply the low-sodium filter to find the best low-sodium options: à la carte items under 400 milligrams or complete entrées with less than 700 milligrams. (Note: Most meals contain less than 500 milligrams.) Plus, you can add additional filters to select recipes that are low in fat or calories, as well as gluten or dairy-free. Example Meals:
- Roasted veggie kale salad with chicken
- Chickpea-powered Mediterranean bulgur with zucchini
- Pesto-spiced shrimp with pesto couscous and blistered tomatoes Sustainability & Quality: Magic Kitchen aims to use organic ingredients when possible and prioritizes grain-fed beef and hormone-free chicken. While the brand does use dry ice to ship, the coolers used to send the frozen items are not recyclable. The brand’s niche service for seniors kept them on the list despite this less environmentally friendly choice. Cost: From $10 per serving Unfortunately, the brand doesn’t have a dedicated low-sodium plan or meal filter. However, the site allows you to scan nutrition labels as you build your box. Another way to bypass salt-heavy meals: Skip to the diabetes-friendly meal plan, which restricts sodium to 700 milligrams. Example meals:
- Lettuce-wrapped turkey burgers with green goddess dressing and lentil salad (280 mg)
- Herbed chicken thighs with “cheesy” broccoli and tomato-pesto relish (460 mg)
- Seared pork with blueberry-apricot sauce and sautéed greens (105 mg) Sustainability & quality: Sustainable agriculture is just as important to Sunbasket as environmentally friendly packaging. The brand sources organic and local produce and supports regenerative agriculture practices—so you get quality you can trust. Cost: From $11 per serving for meal kits The kidneys are responsible for regulating salt levels5 in the body, so limiting sodium can be beneficial to impacted organs with decreased function. Similarly, those with heart issues often have high blood pressure. Extra sodium in the bloodstream causes the kidneys to retain more water, increasing blood volume, and therefore increasing blood pressure. Additionally, a review of 34 studies6 found that those with hypertension saw a significant reduction in their high blood pressure levels after consuming a low sodium diet for at least four weeks. Those with normal blood pressure levels also saw a drop—just on a smaller scale. All that being said, a super restricted intake of sodium4 may also have negative impacts for those who don’t need it. At the end of the day, talking with your doctor is the best way to understand whether a low sodium diet is right for you.
