Canned soups for high blood pressure: 6 low-sodium choices

The article highlights six types of canned soups—lentil, black bean, split pea, minestrone, vegetable barley, and butternut squash—that are noted for fiber, potassium, and lean-protein content and that are healthiest when labeled low‑ or no‑salt; sodium levels vary widely by brand.

Choosing canned soups for blood pressure management is framed around sodium content and ingredient quality. The piece notes that low- or no-salt varieties that include legumes, whole grains, and lean proteins tend to be more supportive of heart health. The discussion highlights specific canned types commonly available and gives examples of their nutrient contributions. The article emphasizes that sodium can vary widely across brands and that lower-sodium options are preferable. Key details: - Lentil soup: A common no-salt-added canned lentil soup is reported to provide about 31% of the recommended daily intake of fiber per 1-cup (250 g) serving and about 8% of the recommended potassium intake. - Black bean soup: A typical canned black bean soup example supplies roughly 11% of the daily value (DV) for protein and nearly a quarter of the DV for fiber; the example cited had about 28.8 mg of salt per serving and provided about 25% DV of vitamin C and around 10% DV each for vitamin A and iron. - Split pea soup: Low-sodium split pea varieties are described as high in protein and fiber; a cited 1-cup serving contained about 6.9% DV of protein and about 11.25% of the DV for fiber, with sodium variable by brand. - Minestrone: Presented as a tomato-based broth with pasta, beans, and vegetables, minestrone is noted for providing lean protein, fiber, and potassium in low-sodium formulations, while canned versions can be high in sodium if not labeled low- or no-salt. - Vegetable barley: Made with barley, carrots, peas, beans, and other vegetables, canned vegetable barley soup is described as nutrient-dense and low-calorie in some varieties; a common 1-cup example had about 50 calories, 1.25 g protein, and 2 g fiber, and some brands may contain over 20% of the recommended daily sodium limit per cup. - Butternut squash: Canned butternut squash soup is noted for fiber and potassium content and a low-calorie profile in some common canned varieties (for example, about 75 calories and roughly 8% DV of fiber per 1-cup serving), with a reminder that reduced- or no-salt varieties are preferable because sodium can be elevated in some products. Summary: Soups that are low- or no-salt and that include legumes, whole grains, and vegetables are described as supplying fiber, potassium, and lean protein that are relevant to blood pressure management. Undetermined at this time.