A new finding from Consumer Reports reveals that extremely high amounts of sodium are packed into so-called health foods such as "fat free" salad dressings and "heart smart" tomato sauces. The salt is used as a cheap substitute for high-fat oils.
By raising blood pressure, too much salt can make you more susceptible to heart attack, kidney disease, and stroke. It may also boost your chances of asthma, kidney stones, osteoporosis, and stomach cancer.
Many people are unaware how much sodium is really in the foods they consume. Instant Jell-O chocolate pudding has nearly four times as much sodium as the cook-and-serve version, and Maple Grove Farms Fat-Free Balsamic Vinaigrette has far more sodium than the full-fat kind.