What is salt?
Salt is a mineral (sodium chloride) that can be added to foods to change their taste. It has many important functions in the body.

Where do I get salt?
Any food that tastes salty, like chips, pickles, fast food, frozen dinners and french fries is a good source of salt. Adding salt directly to food will also increase your intake.

Why do I need salt?
Salt is essential for muscle function, digestion, and nerve cell health. It also helps move fluid in and out of cells. Since CF patients have a higher than normal concentration of salt in their sweat, they need to replace the salt that is lost. 

How much salt do I need?
CF patients need to have a high salt diet. Infants need to have salt added to their formula or baby food. Children, adolescents and adults should use the salt shaker liberally and eat foods that are high in salt, like chips, pickles, fast food, frozen dinners and french fries. Extra salt (along with fluid) is especially important during hot weather. There is not a specific amount of salt that individuals with CF should have every day, but your health-care provider can determine the amount that is right for you. 

Fluid
Fluid is important for a balanced diet and for hydration. Losing extra salt and water in your sweat increases the chance of dehydration, especially in the summer. Water is an excellent choice to maintain fluid balance. Milk is also a good choice because it provides calories and protein, in addition to fluid. Juice and soda, however, can cause children to feel full and decrease their appetite for healthier drinks and snacks, and should be limited to less than six ounces a day for toddlers and children, and less than 12 ounces a day for adolescents and adults.