Salt
Do you know how much salt you consume as part
of your daily diet? You might be surprised to know that it’s not
just the salt you add to your meal that is important, it’s also the
salt which is ‘contained’ in many every day foods.
Many people do not realise that the amount of
salt they consume every day could be putting their health at
risk.
Too much salt can cause high blood pressure
which increases the risk of developing coronary heart
disease. It’s important for you and your family to try not to
eat more than the recommended amount of salt.
Salt in foods
When you are shopping in the supermarket or
local shop, watch out for foods such as:
- crisps,
- salted nuts,
- canned and packet soups and sauces,
- baked beans and canned vegetables,
- pork pies,
- pizzas and other ready meals that
typically contain a lot of salt.
Also be aware that some staple foods such as
bread and some breakfast cereals have added salt and that it can
also be found in sweet foods such as cakes and biscuits.
How much salt is too much?
Adults should consume less than 6g of salt a day. Checking
the nutritional information on food labels can help you to choose
healthier options. Here are some easy ways to reduce your
salt intake:
- Add less salt to your cooking - as you get used to the
taste, cut it out completely
- Don't add salt to your food at the table
- Instead of salt use pepper, herbs, garlic, spices or lemon
juice to add flavour to your food
- Cut down on processed foods that contain a lot of salt
- Use food labels to choose lower salt options.
For more information
download our leaflet Salt - Facts for a Healthy
Heart (PDF)
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