Salt
We hear lots in the media about the amount of salt in our diets but just how bad is it and what does it mean for our health?
How much is too much?
Most sodium is consumed as sodium chloride, usually called “table salt.” Canadians consume a large amount of sodium from foods. Although some sodium is needed to control blood volume and to help cells function properly most Canadians consume far more than is necessary, or recommended. Most of us know that too much salt in our diets can lead to high blood pressure. Health experts recommend that adults should consume less than 6g (1 level teaspoon) of salt a day, to help maintain their blood pressure down and maintain a healthy heart.
Hidden salt
It’s not just the salt you add to your meal that’s important, it’s also the salt in processed foods such as soup, sauces, restaurant foods and ready prepared meals and meat products like bacon, sausages and ham. Processed foods are the main source, accounting for some 77% of average daily sodium intake. Another 12% occurs naturally in foods, and salt added during cooking (6%) or at the table (5%) makes up the remainder.
Don’t panic
The good news is that once you’ve got all the facts about salt and your health, there are some simple steps you can take to reduce your salt intake and improve your long-term health.