Kids’ Sodium Intake On The Rise

New government research shows that more than 90 percent of kids in the US, ages 6-18 years old, eat more sodium than recommended and it’s not coming from the salt shaker. This influx in sodium is coming from everyday foods such as pizza, bread, sandwiches, cold cuts, chicken nuggets and patties, Mexican dishes, pasta dishes, and soups. The concern is that this increase in sodium in young kids will lead to high blood pressure and heart disease in the future.

            According to CDC standards, kids should consume less than 2,300 mg of sodium per day. Currently, numbers show that kids are digesting about 3,300 mg of sodium per day. Prior to asking for a salt packet or reaching for the salt shaker, sodium is already found in many foods. Based on government research, 65 percent of sodium comes from store foods, 13 percent comes from fast food, and 9 percent comes from the school cafeteria. Here are a few tips to reduce sodium intake:

• Introduce fresh fruits and vegetables.
• When cooking, substitute salt with garlic, onion powder, citrus juice, or other salt-free seasonings.
• Prepare foods from their most natural state, dry or fresh.
• When buying meals, look for those with less than 600mg of sodium per meal.
• Ask for no salt to be added when eating out at restaurants or fast food establishments.

Similar to adults, kids consume majority of their sodium from processed foods and meals prepared outside of the home. While the occasional treat is understandable and well deserved, try to keep kids’ sodium intake under 2,300 mg per day. A healthy child foreshadows a healthy adult!

Excerpt from: Center for Disease Control and Prevention