Salt Consumption Down - But not Enough

Controlled Salt Reductions Targets

Grown-ups in England have reduced their average salt intake by almost a gram in the last decade. However at 8g per day, it seems to still be over the recommended 6g for good health according to figures revealed. Salt, a chemical compound is made up of sodium and chloride and is usually used in preserving and flavouring food.

 It is the main source of sodium in our diet and a small quantity of salt is essential for good health since it helps in maintaining the precise volume of circulating blood and tissue fluids in the body. But most of the people tend to consume extra sodium than is essential for good health. The data from Public Health England depends on measurement obtained from random sample of 689 grown-ups.

Three fourth of the salt we tend to consume is in foods we buy and there has been a drive for industry to curb down on salt. Excess salt could increase blood pressure leading to risk of strokes. Controlled salt reduction targets were set first in 2006 for a variety of food classifications in the UK which contributes most to the population’s salt consumption, for instance, crisps, butter and margarines, breakfast cereals and bread.

Check Labels & Choose Lower Salt Options

Fresh targets had been set in 2014, to include well known dishes consumed out of the house, like ready meals, sandwiches as well as children’s meals in fast food outlets. Chief nutritionist at PHE, Dr Alison Tedstone had stated that `while people tend to have less salt than 10 years ago, we still seem to be eating a third more than we should. Most of the salt we eat is in everyday food and it is important to check labels and choose lower salt options.

Several of the manufacturers as well as retailers have considerably reduced the level of salts in daily foods but more needs to be done particularly by restaurants, takeaways and café. Campaigning group Consensus on Action on Salt and Heath – CASH, stated that the salt intake of the nation seemed to around 8g each day level for the last few years and wants to have more guideline around salt in food. While shopping for food, one could consider curtailing on the salt intake by:

• Comparing nutrition labels on food packaging on purchasing daily items. One can cut the salt intake by checking the label and opting for pizza, ketchup or breakfast cereal which tends to have less salt. 
• Opt for reduced salt, unsmoked back bacon and cured meats and fish could be high in salt, hence the same can be eaten less often. 
• Purchase tinned vegetables without added salt and the same with tinned pulses. 
• Check for salt content in ready-made pasta sauces. Tomato-based sauces seem to be lower in salt than cheesy sauces or those which contain olives, ham or bacon. 
• To consume healthy snack, one could opt for fruit or vegetables like carrots or celery sticks and if one has crisps or crackers, the label needs to be checked and opted for the one with less salt. 
• Need to go easy on soy sauce, mustard, pickles, mayonnaise and other table sauces since these could all be high in salt.