Happy Tuesday Newsday!
Today’s news is more “salty” than happy – a new study has concluded that the average American child is consuming more than twice the recommended daily amount of sodium. Are your kids getting too much?
The research, published in this month’s Pediatrics medical journal, surveyed 6,200 children between the ages of 8 and 18 and found that the average sodium consumption was 3,387 mg.
For children between the ages of 4 and 18, the recommended daily amount is 1,200 – 1,500 mg. Children in the study were consuming more than twice the suggested amount!
Older children in the study had a higher intake of sodium, and boys consumed more than girls.
Those who consumed the most were twice as likely to suffer from high blood pressure, although the study didn’t take the consumption of other nutrients into account.
What can you do to limit your child’s sodium intake?
- Check the label: Sodium amounts are clearly spelled out – be sure to take note of serving sizes.
- Eat fresh: Canned, processed and frozen foods typically contain large amounts of sodium. Rely on fresh fruits and veggies, dry or no-salt added beans and other unprocessed foods.
- Say hello to herbs: You don’t need salt to have flavor – tantalize your family’s taste buds by using herbs such as garlic, oregano or cilantro to season your meals.