If you’re following a low-sodium diet, you may have noticed that store-bought pasta sauce can be a sneaky source of added salt. A 1/2 cup serving of store-bought pasta sauce can contain up to 850mg of sodium, making your pasta dinner a significant source of sodium in your day.
The good news is that more and more low-sodium pasta sauce brands are available at the grocery store. But with so many brands and flavors available, it can be overwhelming (and time-consuming!) to search the sauce aisle of the grocery store for low-sodium options. We’ve brought them together here to make your low-sodium grocery shopping a breeze!
What is sodium?
Sodium is a nutrient involved in hydration status and nerve function. Though we need sodium as part of our diet, most people get too much. Over time, too much sodium in the diet can lead to high blood pressure, a risk factor for heart disease and stroke (1).
Sodium is present in large amounts in processed foods, such as processed meat, sauces, dips, baked goods, and take-out meals (1).
Daily Recommended Intake of Sodium
The Daily recommended intake for sodium is 2300mg per day in the U.S and Canada (1,2). Though some experts believe that our sodium intake should be closer to 1500mg per day (4). This may seem like a lot, but it adds up quickly. To put this into perspective, the average daily sodium intake in America is 3400mg (1) and in Canada is 2760mg per day (2).
Low Sodium Pasta Sauce
When looking for low sodium pasta sauce, beware of marketing claims. Often products listed as “lower” or “reduced” in sodium are not actually considered low in sodium. There are two tools on the nutrition facts table that you can use to find the lower sodium options:
- The Percent Daily Value is a tool on the right side of the Nutrition Facts Table that can help you identify if there is a little or a lot of a nutrient in a food. Look for pasta sauce with less than 10% daily value of sodium per serving.
- The sodium content is listed in mg on the left side of the nutrition label. Look for a sauce less than 230mg of sodium per serving.
Pasta Sauce Portion Size
Most nutrition facts tables refer to the nutrient content of 1/2 cup (or 125ml) of pasta sauce. Keep in mind that you may have to multiply the sodium content on the food label if you have more than this amount of sauce at a meal.
Low Sodium Pasta Sauce Brands
1. De Cecco Arrabbiata
De Cecco Arrabbiata sauce contains 106mg of sodium per 1/2 cup serving. The Napoletana and Sicillana flavors are also considered low sodium.
2. Sal & Judy’s Heart Smart Sauce
Sal & Judy’s Heart Smart Sauce Contains 115mg of sodium per 1/2 cup serving.
3. The Vine Organic Tomato Basil
The Vine Original Marinara contains 115mg of sodium per 1/2 cup serving.
4. Silver Palate Low Sodium Marinara
The Silver Plate Low Sodium Marinara contains 125mg sodium per 1/2 cup serving.
5. Yo Mama’s Foods Roasted Garlic
Yo Mama’s Roasted Garlic sauce contains 125mg of sodium per 1/2 cup serving. The Marinara and vodka sauce are also low in sodium, with 125 and 190mg per 1/2 cup, respectively.
6. Hidden Foods Co. Marinara Sauce
Hidden Foods Marinara contains 125mg of sodium per 1/2 cup serving.
7. Italo’s Tomato Sauce
Italo’s Spicy Arrabbiata sauce contains 205mg of sodium per 1/2 cup serving.
9. Lidia’s Vodka Sauce
Lidia’s Vodka sauce contains 220mg of sodium per 1/2 cup serving.
9. Cucina Antica Marinara
Cucina Antica Marinara sauce contains 230mg of sodium per 1/2 cup serving.
10. Authentica World Cuisine Aribiata
Authentica World Cuisine Arrabiata contains 230mg of sodium per 1/2 cup serving
Related Posts:
Looking for other low-sodium products? Be sure to check out the posts below.
- 15 Low Sodium Bread Brands at the Grocery Store
- Low-Sodium Crackers You Can Find at the Grocery Store
- 16 Low-Sodium Cereal Brands
Sources:
- Sodium and Your Health, Health Canada (2022)
- Sodium in your Diet, U.S Food & Drug (2022)
