Canadians, by and large, do consume too much sodium. However, the greatest portion of our salt intake is not the stuff coming out of the salt shaker, it’s the sodium in processed foods. And by processed, I mean anything not in it’s natural state, including breads, cereals, packaged and ready-to-eat foods, and restaurant meals.
Sodium is a necessary part of our diet, but unfortunately, more does not equal better. Current Health Canada recommendations are that healthy adults should consume about 1500mg of sodium daily for good health. Children should consume 1000-1500mg daily. The upper limit is listed as 2300mg of sodium per day, which is about the equivalent of one teaspoon of salt.
How much sodium to Canadians consume? Depending on which study you’re looking at, we’re typically taking in about 3000-4000mg of sodium per day, from double to almost triple the recommended amount.
A diet high in sodium is a risk factor for high blood pressure (hypertension), which in turn is strongly linked with health conditions such as stroke, heart disease, and kidney disease.
How much sodium is in some typical processed foods?
Bread, 1 slice (35g) 147-238mg
Crackers, salted (30g) 192-335mg
Cheddar or mozzerella cheese, 50g 208-482mg
Bacon, cooked, 75g 1555-1920mg
Luncheon meat, 75g 552-970mg
Legumes, canned (3/4 cup) 489-638mg
Ketchup, yellow mustard or relish, 2 Tbsp 334-358mg
Tomato sauce, canned/bottled, 1/2 cup 585-721mg
Fresh fruits and vegetables, grains, and unprocessed meats and alternates contain very little sodium.
For a more complete list of sodium sources, take a look at this site.
So using less salt while cooking is important, but even more so is choosing low and reduced-sodium foods. Looked for canned products with no added salt. Choose low-sodium versions of your favourite soups and seasonings. Rinse your canned beans and veggies in water to remove extra salt used in canning. Try making your own salad dressings. And above all, use high-sodium foods sparingly.
Canadians really need to take an interest in the amount of sodium in our foods. The Sodium Working Group, a task force appointed by the government in 2007 to tackle what is considered dangerously high levels of sodium consumption by Canadians, called for voluntary reductions in the sodium content of foods by manufacturers. The group was recently disbanded in favour of another group that has heavy ties to the manufacturing industry. So what has happened in these last 5 years? Nothing. Manufacturers insist that Canadians like their salt and overwhelmingly reject lower sodium foods.
The proof is in the products. For example, Kellogg’s All-Bran cereal sold in Canada has 620mg sodium; the same product in the US only has 120mg.
The UK has been actively reducing sodium content in food since 2003 without any significant public backlash or manufacturer complaints regarding reduced sales.
If they can do it, so can we. Sadly, (and this is me on my soap box), we can’t count on this government to do anything for the health of the public that might interfere with the financial health of the private sector. Hypertension is called the “silent killer”…you don’t know you’ve got a problem until it’s usually too late. Reduce the salt now; it takes time, but you’ll get used to the change in taste. And you’ll be healthier for it.
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