Salt is our biggest source of both sodium and chloride. 75% of sodium consumed in America comes from the salt added during food manufacture, not from that which is added at the table as a condiment, according to estimates.
Examples of foods that are high in salt are canned chicken noodle soup, canned macaroni and cheese, salted potato chips and pretzels, ham, and corned beef. Diets that emphasize unprocessed foods, especially fruits, vegetables, and legumes are associated with the lowest salt intakes.
Since the majority of sodium (Na) and chloride (Cl) intake comes from salt (NaCl), dietary salt content can be estimated by multiplying sodium content by 2.5 (example: 2 g sodium x 2.5 = 5 g salt). To calculate the sodium intake from salt (NaCl) consumption this can be estimated by dividing salt by 2.5 (example: 5 g salt : 2.5 = 2 g sodium).
Authored by Dr Peter Engel in 2010, reviewed and revised by Dr. Volker Elste on 20.09.2017.
