Be Sodium Savvy, Eat Less Salt

A recent report from the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says most Americans consume far more sodium each day than the recommended amount mainly in the form of salt.

Consuming too much sodium can lead to heart disease and stroke, which are the No.1 and No.3 killers of both men and women in the United States every year. People who are especially at risk include adults 40 and older, African Americans and anyone with high blood pressure - which means that 69% of the U.S. population is at risk.

Here are some of the CDS's tips on how yo can cut back on your sodium intake:

• Know your daily sodium limit. Federal dietary guidelines say adults should eat no more than 2,300 milligrams of sodium a day (about 1 teaspoon of salt). However, if you're in one of the three previously mentioned higher risk groups, you should consume no more than 1,500 milligrams a day.
• Choose fruits and vegetables instead of processed foods. Seventy-seven percent of the sodium that we consume comes from processed and restaurant foods.
• Read nutrition labels carefully. Add up the milligrams of sodium in everything you eat to make sure you're staying within your daily limit.
• Eat smart when dining out. Before ordering, ask about low-sodium offerings, or ask to see nutritional information, including sodium content.

Original source: Denver Post, USAweekend insert,June 12-14, 2009

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