What simple adjustment in kitchen habits can wash away a significant portion of excess surface salt from canned beans or vegetables?

Thoroughly rinsing them under running water before cooking.

To mitigate the high sodium content commonly found in convenience foods like canned beans or vegetables, a straightforward, practical habit can be adopted without needing to cook every meal entirely from scratch. This method involves placing the canned contents into a strainer and rinsing them thoroughly under a stream of running water. This simple action is effective because it washes away a substantial amount of the excess salt that adheres to the surface of the ingredients during canning and preservation, thereby making a tangible difference in the 24-hour sodium profile without sacrificing the convenience of using pre-packaged goods.