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Oh No! The Salt Police?
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The U.S. Dietary Guidelines recommend keeping salt intake at 2,300 mg or less daily, but for those people that are at a higher risk, like blacks, middle-aged or elderly people and those with hypertension, the recommendation can be 1,000 mg or less daily. This is true for half the population!
FDA officials have opened a debate about what is considered too much salt in the processed foods that we eat. This was put together in response to an advocacy group that would like to see some limits imposed on the amount of salt added to processed foods and warnings about the sodium content on food labels.
Fortunately, there is a consensus among experts and advocacy groups that Americans consume too much salt and that deaths associated to excessive salt consumption are taking a huge toll. However, some experts think that we should encourage the industry to slowly and gradually lessen the amount of salt added to foods. Other countries do it, why not us?
All that said, regardless of the outcome on this debate, we all know that it's our dietary habits that need to change.
Renee Brunetti LD/N, NSCA-CPT, ACSM
“If you had one car to get around in your lifetime, how would you treat it?”
Labels: salt
Sodium:The Silent Killer
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Do you ever wonder where the extra pound is coming from after eating Chinese food? Well, the culprit is the sodium hidden in the foods. Too much sodium in your meals causes you to retain fluids and makes you believe you have gained weight overnight.In the United States, individuals eat nearly two teaspoons of salt daily or 3300-4000 mg a day. That is more than double the recommendation of 2300 mg of sodium per day. Now that the holidays are here, consider the turkey you are planning to cook. Did you know it is injected with salt water before you buy it at the supermarket? It is often used as a preservative and for flavor as well.
It is important to be aware of your sodium intake, especially since heart disease is so prevalent in our nation. So, next time you go to the supermarket look for the low sodium product next to the regular item. A combined effort by food companies and the Center for Science in the Public Interest has made these products available to you and there will only be more advances in the future.
The fight for sodium reduction in food items is becoming worldwide. The World Health Organization, more commonly known as WHO, is calling for reduction of processed foods and increased consumer education on cutting salt out of the diet.
Make these efforts worthwhile and do your part for your own health.
Wendy, BSc, DTR
Nutrition Specialist
"Thoughts determine what you want...Action determines what you get."
Labels: salt
Salt, the New Trans Fat?
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The current recommendation for daily sodium intake is 2,300 mg or less, which is equal to a teaspoon of salt. Americans consume about 3,375 mg of sodium daily and 80% of this comes from processed foods. Eating out is also a culprit! It has long been known that when you have hypertension, lowering your salt intake can help lower your blood pressure. However, studies show that the reduction in blood pressure is minimal when compared to the reduction in risk for heart disease.
It seems that excessive sodium intake not only negatively affects blood pressure, but it also causes stiffening of the artery walls, damage to the heart muscle, and it may play a role in the insulin resistance epidemic which is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. So, while lowering your intake to the 2,300 mg a day is recommended, 1,500 mg can cut your risks even more! Read on to find out what experts say is the “bottom line”.
Renee Brunetti BS, LD/N, ACSM
Nutrition SpecialistIf you had one car to get around in your lifetime, how would you treat it?
Labels: heart healthy, salt
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