Diet, eating, salt and sodium are all considerations for a healthy heart. The sodium your body in takes during your diet eating habits causes water retention. Dieters must give special attention to water retention in order to meet their weight-loss goals. However, even non-dieters should be concerned with the water retention that comes from eating high sodium foods. Water retention causes high blood pressure because of the burden it puts on the heart and blood vessels. And as most dieters and non-dieters know, high blood pressure increases the risk of stroke and heart disease. A healthy diet, eating low-sodium foods, exercise and drinking plenty of water are the best ways to meet your weight loss goals, keep your water retention low, and keep your heart healthy and you happy.

Ironically, drinking more water best reduces water retention. That's why many diet eating plans suggesting drinking more water. Drinking more water but continuing to eat foods high in sodium isn't going to help your weight loss plans, or your diet. Eating a low-sodium diet doesn't mean your food has to be tasteless and cutting out all salt in your diet. Eating food cooked with non-alcoholic wine, lemon and fruit juice can liven up meats, gravies and vegetables. Meats and sandwiches can be spiced up with low-fat spicy mustards or low-fat mayonnaise mixed with dill, tarragon, chipolte, Cajun or chili flavoring. There are hundreds of no-salt substitutes available that can make your eating so enjoyable you'll love your low-salt diet.

Reading the label on the spices and the foods you choose is an important part of your low-salt diet. Eating foods that contain less than 200mg of sodium per serving is a must. Steer clear of eating foods with 400mg per serving. The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends 2,300mg of sodium in your diet per day. However, for people already suffering from high-blood pressure, middle-aged and older people, and blacks, the AHA recommends only 1,500mg per day. Most of the sodium in your diet is in food. Baked goods contribute to one-third of our salt intake, and the average American consumes around 2,900mg to 4,300mg of sodium per day in their diet. Even if you're not at risk for high blood pressure, a low-sodium diet is beneficial to weight loss and prevention. Nine out of ten Americans will have high blood pressure in their lifetime according to John Hopkins University.

Diet, eating, salt and sodium habits must be evaluated and considered for successful weight loss, low blood pressure, a healthy heart, and healthy eating. Diets such as the Atkins Weight Loss Program that minimize baked good intake, and require eight glass of water a day, have successfully incorporated a low-sodium diet together with their advice on how to lose weight. Healthy diet eating requires a low-sodium diet. The Atkins diet is a good example of a healthy start to a healthy heart. Lose salt and lose weight - and you'll shake up your diet to have a healthier heart and a happier you.