High Sodium Condiments
One of the best ways to prevent cirrhosis complications is to limit sodium intake. That’s because sodium retains fluid in the body, leading to fluid build-up in the abdomen and high blood pressure for cirrhotic patients.
The American Heart Association recommends that adults consume no more than 2,300 milligrams of sodium daily. However, that number should be much lower for cirrhotic patients, between 1,500 and 2,000 milligrams per day.
A little goes a long way regarding high-sodium condiments like soy sauce. Just two tablespoons of soy sauce contain 1,000 milligrams of sodium, that’s almost half of an adult’s recommended daily intake. And two tablespoons of teriyaki sauce are not far behind at 986 milligrams. Steak sauce and spaghetti sauce are also surprisingly high in sodium, with one cup containing 1,420 milligrams and 1,190 milligrams, respectively.
Fortunately, there are plenty of low-sodium options available at most grocery stores. Cirrhotic patients could always make their condiments at home using fresh ingredients. However, it’s important to be mindful of the amount of sodium a cirrhotic patient consumes to control cirrhosis.
