Earlier this month, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) revealed that
90% of adult Americans eat too much salt (averaging 3,300mg per day).
(Press release-- http://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2012/p0207_sodium_food.html)
Common culprits are processed or pre-made foods such as:
- bread & rolls
- luncheon meat
- pizza (tomato sauce & cheese can both be high)
- poultry
- soup.
Your body needs a small amount of salt to function. However, excess salt can make your heart work harder, raise blood pressure & increases your chance of developing heart disease or having a stroke.
The general recommendation is no more than 2,300mg per day (the equivalent of 1 teaspoon of table salt). It is lowered to 1,500mg per day for sensitive groups (e.g.,:
- those over age 50
- African Americans
- people diagnosed with or who have a family history of high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, etc.).
Some public health experts encourage decreasing the recommended amounts even further.
Related Links
- Test your salt smarts-- http://www.webmd.com/hypertension-high-blood-pressure/rm-quiz-test-salt-smarts?ecd=wnl_din_092611
- Understanding Salt Labeling Terms-- http://forecast.diabetes.org/magazine/only-online/salt-speak
- Suggestions for healthier salty favorites-- http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/features/most-tempting-salty-foods?ecd=wnl_din_082511
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