cancer backup

Macmillan and Cancerbackup merged in 2008. Together we provide free, high quality information for people affected by cancer through our publications, website and phone service. Find out more|.

The Information Standard logo

Find out how we produce our information|

Cut down on salt

Most people eat much more salt than they need. Some experts say we should all aim to cut down our overall salt intake by about a quarter.

Most foods are salted during cooking and manufactured foods contain a lot of added salt. Here are some tips for cutting down on your salt intake:

Reduce the amount of salt in your cooking and try to avoid adding it at the table. This may help to reduce your blood pressure if it is high.
Cut down on snacks with a high salt content, like crisps or salted nuts.
Check the labels on food for the amount of salt in the product. Many supermarkets now colour code labels so you can tell if the amount of salt is high or low.
Try to use low-salt manufactured products, and low-salt or unsalted butter or spreads.

If your pain tablets are ones that you dissolve in water, they may contain large amounts of salt. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Content last reviewed: 1 December 2009

Questions about cancer?

For answers, support or just a chat, call the Macmillan Support Line free (Monday to Friday, 9am-8pm)

Ask Macmillan

If you have any questions about cancer, need support or just want someone to talk to, ask Macmillan.

Contact us

If you have any questions about Macmillan we would love to hear from you| .

You can also follow us| on Facebook, Twitter, Flickr or YouTube.

About this site

Other Macmillan resources

Bookmark this page

what are these?|

Macmillan Cancer Support, registered charity in England and Wales (261017), Scotland (SC039907) and the Isle of Man (604). A company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales company number 2400969. Isle of Man company number 4694F. Registered office: 89 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7UQ.