Low-Sodium Spices & Seasonings Guide
18 items classified under standard Low-Sodium guidelines.
This guide covers all 18 spices & seasonings classified under Low-Sodium guidelines. Low-Sodium evaluates foods primarily by sodium content per serving, which determines how each item in this category is classified.
Good news for Low-Sodium followers: almost all spices & seasonings fit the diet. These foods are naturally low in sodium. The nutrition details below help you compare within the category to find the best options for your specific needs.
Quick Reference
| Food | Status | Sodium (per 100g) |
|---|---|---|
| Basil | Allowed | 4mg |
| Black Pepper | Allowed | 4mg |
| Cayenne Pepper | Allowed | 30mg |
| Chili Powder | Allowed | 357mg |
| Cinnamon | Allowed | 388mg |
| Cumin | Allowed | 168mg |
| Garlic Powder | Allowed | 60mg |
| Ginger | Allowed | 13mg |
| Nutmeg | Allowed | 0mg |
| Onion Powder | Allowed | 73mg |
| Oregano | Allowed | 25mg |
| Paprika | Allowed | 68mg |
| Saffron | Allowed | 148mg |
| Turmeric | Allowed | 27mg |
| Vanilla Extract | Allowed | 9mg |
| Everything Bagel Seasoning | Not Allowed | 422mg |
| Salt | Not Allowed | 38800mg |
| Taco Seasoning | Not Allowed | 363mg |
Classification Breakdown
15 Allowed — These spices & seasonings are naturally low in sodium. 3 Not Allowed — These are high enough in sodium that a single serving uses a substantial fraction of a daily allowance.
About 70–75% of dietary sodium comes from packaged and restaurant food, not the salt shaker.
Allowed Spices & Seasonings (15)
Basil
AllowedAt 4mg sodium per 100g, Basil falls into the Allowed category under Low-Sodium guidelines. This means it is naturally low in sodium. Among the 18 items in this category, basil sits at the low end for sodium — next closest is Black Pepper at 4mg.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Black Pepper
AllowedBlack Pepper is classified as Allowed on Low-Sodium, with 4mg sodium per 100g. This means it is naturally low in sodium. Among the 18 items in this category, black pepper sits at the low end for sodium — next closest is Vanilla Extract at 9mg.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Cayenne Pepper
AllowedAt 30mg sodium per 100g, Cayenne Pepper falls into the Allowed category under Low-Sodium guidelines. It is naturally low in sodium. Beyond the primary classification, cayenne pepper also provides 12g protein and 17.3g fat per 100g. Within this category, it falls between Turmeric and Garlic Powder for sodium, ranking 8 of 18.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Chili Powder
AllowedAt 357mg sodium per 100g, Chili Powder falls into the Allowed category under Low-Sodium guidelines. The classification reflects that it is naturally low in sodium. Nutritionally, it also delivers 13.3g protein and 8.2g fat per serving. It ranks among the highest in this category for sodium. The nearest lower option is Cumin at 168mg.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Cinnamon
AllowedCinnamon is classified as Allowed on Low-Sodium, with 388mg sodium per 100g. This means it is naturally low in sodium. It also contains 7.1g protein and 5.3g fat, which may factor into overall meal planning. It ranks among the highest in this category for sodium. The nearest lower option is Taco Seasoning at 363mg.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Cumin
AllowedAt 168mg sodium per 100g, Cumin falls into the Allowed category under Low-Sodium guidelines. It is naturally low in sodium. Beyond the primary classification, cumin also provides 17.8g protein and 22.3g fat per 100g. Within this category, it falls between Saffron and Chili Powder for sodium, ranking 13 of 18.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Garlic Powder
AllowedAt 60mg sodium per 100g, Garlic Powder falls into the Allowed category under Low-Sodium guidelines. It is naturally low in sodium. Beyond the primary classification, garlic powder also provides 16.6g protein and 9g fiber per 100g. Within this category, it falls between Cayenne Pepper and Paprika for sodium, ranking 9 of 18.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Ginger
AllowedWith 13mg sodium per 100g, Ginger earns a Allowed classification on Low-Sodium. This means it is naturally low in sodium. Within this category, it falls between Vanilla Extract and Oregano for sodium, ranking 5 of 18.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Nutmeg
AllowedAt 0mg sodium per 100g, Nutmeg falls into the Allowed category under Low-Sodium guidelines. The classification reflects that it is naturally low in sodium. Nutritionally, it also delivers 100g fat per serving. Among the 18 items in this category, nutmeg sits at the low end for sodium — next closest is Basil at 4mg.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Onion Powder
AllowedAt 73mg sodium per 100g, Onion Powder falls into the Allowed category under Low-Sodium guidelines. It is naturally low in sodium. Beyond the primary classification, onion powder also provides 10.4g protein and 15.2g fiber per 100g. Within this category, it falls between Paprika and Saffron for sodium, ranking 11 of 18.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Oregano
AllowedOregano is classified as Allowed on Low-Sodium, with 25mg sodium per 100g. The classification reflects that it is naturally low in sodium. Nutritionally, it also delivers 9g protein and 42.5g fiber per serving. Within this category, it falls between Ginger and Turmeric for sodium, ranking 6 of 18.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Paprika
AllowedWith 68mg sodium per 100g, Paprika earns a Allowed classification on Low-Sodium. This means it is naturally low in sodium. It also contains 14.1g protein and 12.9g fat, which may factor into overall meal planning. Within this category, it falls between Garlic Powder and Onion Powder for sodium, ranking 10 of 18.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Saffron
AllowedWith 148mg sodium per 100g, Saffron earns a Allowed classification on Low-Sodium. This means it is naturally low in sodium. It also contains 11.4g protein and 5.9g fat, which may factor into overall meal planning. Within this category, it falls between Onion Powder and Cumin for sodium, ranking 12 of 18.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Turmeric
AllowedTurmeric is classified as Allowed on Low-Sodium, with 27mg sodium per 100g. This means it is naturally low in sodium. It also contains 9.7g protein and 22.7g fiber, which may factor into overall meal planning. Within this category, it falls between Oregano and Cayenne Pepper for sodium, ranking 7 of 18.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Vanilla Extract
AllowedWith 9mg sodium per 100g, Vanilla Extract earns a Allowed classification on Low-Sodium. This means it is naturally low in sodium. Among the 18 items in this category, vanilla extract sits at the low end for sodium — next closest is Ginger at 13mg.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Not Allowed Spices & Seasonings (3)
Everything Bagel Seasoning
Not AllowedAt 422mg sodium per 100g, Everything Bagel Seasoning falls into the Not Allowed category under Low-Sodium guidelines. It is high enough in sodium that a single serving uses a substantial fraction of a daily allowance. Beyond the primary classification, everything bagel seasoning also provides 10.6g protein per 100g. It ranks among the highest in this category for sodium. The nearest lower option is Cinnamon at 388mg.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Salt
Not AllowedSalt is classified as Not Allowed on Low-Sodium, with 38800mg sodium per 100g. This means it is high enough in sodium that a single serving uses a substantial fraction of a daily allowance. It ranks among the highest in this category for sodium. The nearest lower option is Everything Bagel Seasoning at 422mg.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Taco Seasoning
Not AllowedTaco Seasoning is classified as Not Allowed on Low-Sodium, with 363mg sodium per 100g. This means it is high enough in sodium that a single serving uses a substantial fraction of a daily allowance. It also contains 6.7g protein and 9.2g fat, which may factor into overall meal planning. It ranks among the highest in this category for sodium. The nearest lower option is Chili Powder at 357mg.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central