Pass the Salt!?

New research may make you think twice before adding more salt to your foods. Hypertension (high blood pressure) was never thought to be a health risk for children. Neither was Type 2 Diabetes, or NASH (Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis), however, with the rise in obesity, diseases like hypertension have moved into the younger population.

Recent research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention looked at data from over 6000 kids between the ages of 8-18 over a 5-year period. Researchers reviewed all foods consumed and calculated salt intake. On average, results reported the children consumed 3300 milligrams daily, which is over 1000 mg more than recommended daily intake. Results indicated 15 percent had high blood pressure or pre-hypertension (blood pressure was slightly elevated). Most importantly, those who ate the most salt faced double the risk of having elevated blood pressure, compared to those who had a lower sodium intake. Further, the risk of high blood pressure was more than triple if the children were overweight or obese. These results are particularly important due to the fact that elevated blood pressure, even just prehypertension, can lead to high blood pressure in adulthood and potentially premature heart disease. How quickly does 2300 milligrams (mg) add up? Bagel, plain, enriched (4 inch) – 475 mg Cottage cheese, 2% milkfat (1 cup) – 918 mg Soup, chicken rice with vegetables (1 cup) – 459 mg Turkey roast, boneless (3 oz) – 578 mg TOTAL = 2430 mgSome other foods with notable sodium content: Baked beans, canned, with franks (1 cup) – 1114 mg Bread crumbs, dry, seasoned (1 cup) – 2111 mg Breakfast biscuit, egg and sausage (1 biscuit) – 1141 mg Cheese, American (1 oz) – 422 mg Crab, imitation (3 oz) – 715 mg Fast food, sub sandwich with cold cuts (6 inch) – 1651 mg Macaroni and cheese, canned entrée (1 cup) – 1061 mg Potato salad, home prepared (1 cup) – 1323 mg Pretzels, hard, plain, salted (10 small) – 1029 mg Soy sauce (1 TBSP) – 902 mg Source: USDA National Nutrient Database, Release 17Tips to decrease your salt intake: 1. Look for lower sodium versions of packaged foods such as soups, ready-to-eat cereals, pasta sauce, deli meats, or canned vegetables. 2. Check the facts! Read the nutrition facts label to determine how much sodium is contained in foods you consume. Make sure to understand how much is in one serving. If it is close to your daily total (~2500), think twice. 3. Condiments count! Look for low-sodium or sodium-free, or use sparingly. 4. Avoid the salt shaker! Remove the salt from your dinner table, so your family isn’t tempted to add salt to foods. Out of sight, out of mind. For more sodium facts, check out the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion.