Too Salty For Children

Alarming research shows our children are eating too much salt. We are putting them at risk of having high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease and stroke when they are older.
Boys are slightly worse than girls are, but the shocking figures show that by the age of nine, children are consuming more salt than the recommended daily maximum for adults.

The daily maximum intake of salt for a child 1-3 years of age is 1000mg.
Boys aged 1-3 years have been consuming 1691.1mg of salt daily.

Many parents believe they are doing the right thing by removing salt from the table but the hidden salts in the food our children eat seem to be the culprits.
A good example of hidden salt in food is ham with 1400mg of salt per 100g or sausages, which contain 1100mg of salt per 100g.

Chips, salted nuts, canned and packet soups, sauces, baked beans, canned vegetables, pies and pizzas are all high in salt, as are some breakfast cereals, breads and noodle snacks.

The salt content in take-away and convenience foods should be monitored, as it is not always apparent.

The good news is that it is not too late to start them on a healthy eating plan.
If you can halve the amount of salt in your child's diet you can almost immediately correct elevated blood pressure and reduce the risk of developing blood pressure related disease. All children need a healthy selection of foods from an early age.
Instead of offering chips or biscuits for a snack, you should encourage them to try a piece of fruit. Most children will enjoy the fruit and develop good eating habits for life. It is up to you because until they start school you are one who provides their food.
Start them out right and although they will slip on occasion, they will return to healthy eating habits, as they get older.