Too much salt in our diet
To really cut down, you need to become aware of the salt that is already in the everyday foods you buy, and choose lower-salt options. Try to eat high-salt foods only occasionally, or in small amounts, and aim to eat mainly foods that are green (low) or amber (medium). Many foods also display information about the salt content on the front of the packaging. Drinking water also contains sodium, but the amount depends on the source. Adults with high blood pressure should have no more than 1,500 mg per day. Sodium in the diet (called dietary sodium) is measured in milligrams (mg). But a few simple steps can help you to cut your salt intake. Fortunately, nutrition labels on food packaging now make this a lot easier. To use the sharing features on this page, please enable JavaScript. Healthy adults should limit sodium intake to 2,300 mg per day. Some of these added forms are monosodium glutamate (MSG), sodium nitrite, sodium saccharin, baking soda (sodium bicarbonate), and sodium benzoate. Milk, beets, and celery also naturally contain sodium. 4g of sodium per day, as this is equal to 6g of salt. Adults should eat no more than 2. Children should eat less (see below for recommendations for babies and children). Most pre-packed foods have a nutrition label on the back or side of the packaging. These are in items such as Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, onion salt, garlic salt, and bouillon cubes. But there is a simple way to work out how much salt you are eating from the sodium figure. Cutting down on salt lowers blood pressure, which means that your risk of having a stroke or developing heart disease is reduced.
Sometimes, food labels only give the figure for sodium. Fast foods are generally very high in sodium. The body uses sodium to control blood pressure and blood volume. Those with congestive heart failure, liver cirrhosis, and kidney disease may need much lower amounts. Babies and toddlers Child health 6-15 Adoption and fostering. For tips on how to cut down on salt, read Tips for a lower-salt diet or download this handy Salt survival guide infographic (PDF, 6Mb). Sodium is also added to many food products. Sodium is an element that the body needs to work properly. Cutting back on added salt is only a small part of the solution. Processed meats like bacon, sausage, and ham, and canned soups and vegetables also contain added sodium. But if you have it, you are more likely to develop heart disease or have a stroke. Alcohol support Contraception guide Couch to 5K running plan Fitness Healthy eating Lose weight Sexual health Stop smoking Strength and Flex Stress, anxiety and depression Tiredness and fatigue Weight loss plan. A diet that is high in salt can cause raised blood pressure, which currently affects more than one third of adults in the UK. Your body also needs sodium for your muscles and nerves to work properly. The most common form of sodium is sodium chloride, which is table salt. This may show the salt content as a percentage of your reference intake (RI), or have colour-coded nutrition information to show whether the food is low, medium or high in salt. Too much sodium in the diet may lead to: High blood pressure in some people A serious buildup of fluid in people with heart failure, cirrhosis of the liver, or kidney disease Recommendations.
