Does Broccoli Have a Lot of Sodium?
Broccoli belongs to the cruciferous family of vegetables, which also includes kale, cauliflower and cabbage. These vegetables may help lower your risk for cancer due to the phytochemicals they contain. Broccoli is also very nutritious, providing you with fiber, folate, vitamin C, calcium and carotenoids. Per serving, it contains a very small amount of naturally occurring sodium.
While some sodium is important for proper nerve and muscle function and keeping the fluid levels balanced in your body, getting too much sodium in your diet can lead to health problems like high blood pressure, especially if you are sensitive to sodium. Many Americans consume way more sodium than they should, in part because it is present in so many processed, prepackaged and restaurant foods.
Sodium in Broccoli
Broccoli is almost sodium free. A 1/2-cup serving contains only 15 milligrams of sodium. This is less than 1 percent of the recommended daily limit for sodium for healthy people of 2,300 milligrams per day. If you are at an increased risk for high blood pressure or heart disease, you should limit your sodium to 1,500 milligrams per day.
Reducing Sodium Consumption
Avoiding broccoli isn't an effective way to minimize your sodium intake. Instead, limit the amount of processed and prepared foods you purchase, since these are the main source of sodium in the diet, and when you do purchase processed foods check the label to find the options lowest in sodium. Don't add salt automatically when cooking, since it is only necessary in baked goods. Use other herbs and spices to flavor your food instead. Add salt to taste at the table if your food is unsalted, gradually decreasing the amount you add as you get used to the flavor of food without much salt.
Eating More Broccoli
Adding more vegetables like broccoli to your diet can help you fill up on foods naturally low in sodium so you eat less of foods that are higher in sodium. Consider adding chopped broccoli to soups, stews, egg dishes, pasta, salads and stir-fries. You can also use it to make macaroni and cheese a little healthier.
Based in Massachusetts, Jessica Bruso has been writing since 2008. She holds a master of science degree in food policy and applied nutrition and a bachelor of arts degree in international relations, both from Tufts University.