1. Use fresh, instead of packaged meats

One of the best ways to reduce your salt intake is to buy fresh meat. While natural sodium is still present in fresh cuts of beef, poultry, or pig, the amount is still far lower than the concealed additional sodium added during processing in goods like bacon or ham.

If a food item stays in the refrigerator for several days or weeks, the salt content is likely too high. Instead, buy in bulk fresh meat and store it in small bags in the freezer. Defrost piece by piece whenever you need to cook it.