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

Allowed

At 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

23kcalCalories
3.2gProtein
0.6gFat
2.7gCarbs
4mgSodium

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Black Pepper

Allowed

Black 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

279kcalCalories
0gProtein
0.1gFat
21.2gCarbs
4mgSodium

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Cayenne Pepper

Allowed

At 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

318kcalCalories
12gProtein
17.3gFat
56.6gCarbs
30mgSodium

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Chili Powder

Allowed

At 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

139kcalCalories
13.3gProtein
8.2gFat
2.4gCarbs
357mgSodium

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Cinnamon

Allowed

Cinnamon 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

253kcalCalories
7.1gProtein
5.3gFat
44.4gCarbs
388mgSodium

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Cumin

Allowed

At 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

375kcalCalories
17.8gProtein
22.3gFat
44.2gCarbs
168mgSodium

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Garlic Powder

Allowed

At 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

331kcalCalories
16.6gProtein
0.7gFat
72.7gCarbs
60mgSodium

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Ginger

Allowed

With 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

80kcalCalories
1.8gProtein
0.8gFat
17.8gCarbs
13mgSodium

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Nutmeg

Allowed

At 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

884kcalCalories
0gProtein
100gFat
0gCarbs
0mgSodium

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Onion Powder

Allowed

At 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

341kcalCalories
10.4gProtein
1gFat
79.1gCarbs
73mgSodium

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Oregano

Allowed

Oregano 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

265kcalCalories
9gProtein
4.3gFat
68.9gCarbs
25mgSodium

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Paprika

Allowed

With 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

282kcalCalories
14.1gProtein
12.9gFat
54gCarbs
68mgSodium

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Saffron

Allowed

With 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

310kcalCalories
11.4gProtein
5.9gFat
65.4gCarbs
148mgSodium

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Turmeric

Allowed

Turmeric 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

312kcalCalories
9.7gProtein
3.3gFat
67.1gCarbs
27mgSodium

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Vanilla Extract

Allowed

With 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

288kcalCalories
0.1gProtein
0.1gFat
12.6gCarbs
9mgSodium

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Not Allowed Spices & Seasonings (3)

Everything Bagel Seasoning

Not Allowed

At 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

264kcalCalories
10.6gProtein
1.3gFat
52.4gCarbs
422mgSodium

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Salt

Not Allowed

Salt 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

0kcalCalories
0gProtein
0gFat
0gCarbs
38800mgSodium

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Taco Seasoning

Not Allowed

Taco 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

170kcalCalories
6.7gProtein
9.2gFat
15.1gCarbs
363mgSodium

Compare Taco Seasoning across all diets