Salt awareness week... (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Salt awareness week...

3:32pm Tuesday 30th January 2007

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This week is salt awareness week, a national campaign to raise awareness of the problems caused by consuming too much salt.

On average people consume about 9.5g of salt a day, that's nearly 60% more than is needed, contributing towards over 35,000 deaths every year from heart disease and stroke.

The recommended maximum daily amounts of salt is: Children aged 1 to 3 years - 2g a day (0.8g sodium.

Children aged 4 to 6 years - 3g salt a day (1.2g sodium.

Children aged 7 to 10 years - 5g a day (2g sodium).

Children and adults 11 years and over - 6g a day (2.5g sodium).

Here are some tips on reducing salt intake.

Don't add salt at the table or when cooking. Food may taste bland at first but your taste buds will soon adjust.

Use herbs and spices as an alternative to give extra flavour.

Take time to make meals from scratch using raw ingredients rather than choosing ready meals. That way you control how much salt is added Avoid foods with a content of 0.5g or higher of sodium per 100g and 1.25g of salt per 100g.

Cutting down on salt can lead to a big reduction in heart disease, high blood pressure and stroke. Forego the pinch of salt and use a healthier alternative.

For more information about eating for a healthy lifestyle please contact the National Heart Research Fund on 0113 297 6205 or email lifestyle@heartresearch.org.uk.

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