Sodium Tracking App Food Database API
Published June 4, 2026
Heart-health and hypertension apps center on sodium milligrams per day, not calories. A sodium tracking app food database API must return sodium per 100g, scale by portion, and sum toward a daily limit (often 2,300 mg or lower).
Key API Fields
From food detail or portion calc:
| Field | Use |
|---|---|
sodium_g or sodium mg | Daily sum |
name | Log label |
| Per 100g base | Portion math |
Convert units consistently (mg vs g) in one backend helper.
Backend Daily Sum
async function dailySodiumMg(userId, date) {
const logs = await db.getLogs(userId, date);
return logs.reduce((sum, row) => sum + row.sodium_mg, 0);
}
Populate sodium_mg when saving each log from scaled portion response.
UX for Sodium Apps
| Pattern | Why |
|---|---|
| mg remaining today | More motivating than "over limit" |
| Red highlight over 2,300 mg | Clinical reference |
| Low-sodium search sort | Filter high-sodium packaged foods |
| Barcode for canned goods | Where sodium hides |
Barcode Priority
Packaged soups, sauces, and frozen meals drive sodium intake. Prioritize barcode JSON API in onboarding tutorial.
Related Nutrients
Pair with micronutrient guide for potassium tracking in heart programs.
Related Verticals
Frequently Asked Questions
What food API supports sodium tracking?
Calorie API food detail and portion calc responses include sodium data scaled by serving for daily milligram totals.
How do sodium tracking apps calculate daily totals?
Scale sodium per logged portion, store milligrams per log row, and sum all logs for the current day against the user's limit.
Why is barcode important for sodium apps?
Most dietary sodium comes from packaged foods where barcode lookup is faster and more accurate than manual search.
What daily sodium limit should apps use?
Many apps default to 2,300 mg per day per general guidelines, with lower targets for hypertension programs set by coaches or clinicians.
Can sodium tracking combine with calorie logging?
Yes. Calorie API returns sodium alongside calories and macros from the same food detail and portion endpoints.