(HealthDay News) - Sodium (salt) is a contributing factor to high blood pressure, and too much in one's diet can be dangerous, especially for those with heart disease.

Here are suggestions on how to prepare meals with less sodium, courtesy of the U.S. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute:

• Avoid adding extra salt to your food when you eat it.
• Reduce the amount of salt that you use when you cook. Use fresh herbs instead.
• Don't salt the water used to boil rice or pasta.
• Avoid using packets of sauce or seasoning. They are usually high in sodium.
• Use fresh foods and ingredients when you can. Prepackaged or processed foods often contain a lot of sodium.