Cut Down the Salt
Salt intake is currently a much talked about health concern. It is important not to eat too much salt as excessive salt intake can increase your blood pressure, upping your risk of cardiovascular diseases such as coronary heart disease or stroke.
To avoid these health concerns it is recommended that adults should eat no more than six grams of salt per day (or 2.4g of sodium) whilst the maximum amount varies for children depending on their age.
Unfortunately data from the National Diet and Nutrition Survey has shown most of us in the UK are salt lovers and are eating quite a bit more than this.
Unfortunately approximately 75% of the salt we eat is already in the everyday foods we consume like bread, breakfast cereals and ready meals.
Currently the government is working with various members of the food industry who are pledging to reduce the levels of salt in their food products by signing up to the Responsibility Deal. Although many positive steps have already been taken within the food industry, there is still a long way to go.
In the meantime you there is still plenty to you can do to move towards a healthier diet with some simple changes explained below.
• Reducing your intake of high salt foods such as bacon and ham, cheese, gravy granules or stock cubes will help lower your salt intake.
• Swap to low salt options.
• Look at nutrition labels to help you make an informed decision when comparing products
• Use front of pack packages labels –
if the salt level is shown as red try to avoid this as much as possible.
• Remove salt from the table.
• Don’t add salt when cooking
• Add herbs and spices instead of salt to get stronger flavours instead of salt.
• If you can’t go cold turkey gradually reduce the level of salt you add to your food. Our senses do quickly adapt to less salt so before long you won’t want any!
If you have any questions or need any hep or information you contact me at: emma@zestwellness.co.uk
