Try a Sodium Shake-Down

Research shows it may be easier than you think.

You know all those 30-day free trials offered by fitness centers and weight loss programs? That’s because 30 days seems to be the magic number when it comes to making a healthy habit stick. It turns out that the same may be true for going low sodium.

In a recent study of 354 people with borderline or mild high blood pressure, participants were assigned to follow three diets for 30 days each in random order. One diet put a 1,200 mg cap on sodium, another limited intake to 2,300 mg daily (the amount recommended by the American Heart Association to prevent or reduce high blood pressure), and the last allowed 3,500 mg per day (the amount most Americans consume). At the end of the study, participants voted that the saltiness of the 2,300 milligram diet was the “most acceptable” level.

To start shaking your salt habit, skip salting your foods at the table, read labels on prepared foods, and eat more whole foods such as fresh fruits and veggies, which don’t have added salt.