Low Salt Diet Tips for Kids and Adults

Our bodies only require a small amount of salt for proper nutrition. But the fact is that we all, including our children, consume way more salt -or rather, the sodium - than we should.

Why should we care how much salt (sodium) our children consume?

  • Too much salt (sodium) creates risk for high blood pressure and higher risk for heart attack. And, we women know salt's affect on bloating!

  • The eating habits of our children will continue in their adulthood - and all too frequently less healthy than they were reared when they face busy schedules they haven't expereinced before.

    What is the recommended daily intake of salt (sodium)?

    The adult recommended daily intake of sodium in the U.S. is less than 2,400 mg. But, you may be interested to note the the daily recommendation in the UK is less than 1,600 mg! That's quite a difference.

    So, who do you trust?

    It doesn't take much shopping and looking at the nutrition information on foods to find that they hold a LOT of sodium.

    I personally think that the government's recommendation of sodium intake is influenced by prepared food production.

    I think that they've taken into account how American's can reduce sodium intake without too much impact on the economy.

    But, then again, depending on which association you check, you'll find different recommendations from them all.

    There are no intake recommendations for children, but I think that they are important due to the formation of eating habits that I mentioned above.

    So, what's a person to do?

    Of course, a person should follow the advice of his/her doctor.

    But, for me - a healthy adult with great blood pressure - I just use my common sense to guide me.

    Tips for easy, common sense salt reduction:

  • Use less salt than recommended in a recipe. I've never found it to affect the taste. Most of the time I totally leave it out - especially if it's accompanied by a product that already contains salt/sodium.

  • Don't let your kids salt at the table. The only time salt is on my dinner table is when company is over. I think that my two younger kids don't even realize that people salt their food at the table. If you do decide to let your kids have additional salt - put it on for them. It comes out faster than they realize and it's hard to see!

  • Check the nutrition label of every food that you buy. You will quickly become aware of how much sodium is in cereal, bread, canned goods, bacon, frozen foods, etc. Having an awareness of how much sodium you are consuming will make reduction much easier

  • Buy low-salt or low-sodium versions of a product. Why eat the extra sodium when you'll adjust to the difference in taste (if any) in a few bites?

  • Eat more fresh fruits and vegetables.

  • Substitute salt with other spices that will give food flavor without adding sodium

    Forming good "salting" habits now, will make things a lot easier for your children in the future. Do it for them, and you'll be doing it for you too!

    About The Author

    Laura Bankston is author of Internationally selling Cooking with Kids Curriculum: "Homeschool Cooking in a Box" and the "Homeschool Cookbook". Her articles are published online and in home schooling magazines such as The Homeschool Digest. She currently home schools her three children and maintains home school support websites. For information on her curriculum and free home school support services, please visit http://www.homeschoolcookbook.com

    laura@homeschoolcookbook.com

    In The News:

    • pen paper and inkwell


    cat break through


    How We Rescued Our Child from Anorexia, Effecting a Complete Recovery in Just Six Months

    In March 2003 our then 13 year old daughter, Helen,... Read More

    High School Algebra Finally Pays Off: The Body Fat Equation

    When approaching your goals for a better you, every game... Read More

    Close Kept Secrets to Weight Loss Lesson #2

    Welcome to lesson #2. First of all, I believe that... Read More

    Obesity And Fast Foods - The Lethal Link

    Obesity and fast foods - there's little doubt about the... Read More

    Why Breakfast is Good for You

    Ok... If you are reading this is because you do... Read More

    Im Freezing! Why Gastric Bypass Causes Patients to be Cold

    Body temperature is the result of your body generating and... Read More

    Revolutionary, Safe, and Clinically Proven Natural Weight Loss

    America is in a health care crisis. More than 60... Read More

    Trying To Lose Weight? Dont!

    Are you trying to lose weight?If you are, STOP!Funny thing... Read More

    Saint Valentine Never Had it So Good

    There are several theories on the origins of Valentine's Day.... Read More

    How to Design the Perfect Diet

    All Diets Are Based on the Same Premise: Eat Less... Read More

    Cruisin to Lose

    Recently, I won a family cruise on the Regis and... Read More

    Say Goodbye to the Dreaded Weight Loss Plateau

    Dieters dread the plateau. You're on a roll, losing weight... Read More

    Aerobics Imposters

    In health clubs, they run classes that call themselves "aerobics".... Read More

    Gastric Bypass Patients Succeed Eating High Protein Diet

    The first rule for successful weight loss and weight maintenance... Read More

    How Can You Find Newport Beach Liposuction center?

    Finding the clinic that performs liposuctions in Newport Beach is... Read More

    11 Steps to Guarantee Weight Loss and Fitness Success

    1. Persistence!Violate this step and you'll never achieve permanent results.... Read More

    Atkins Diet Plan ? What?s it All About?

    A typical breakfast consists of 3 or 4 strips of... Read More

    The Lost Road of a Failed Gastric Bypass Surgery

    In 1994, I had a RNY surgery. At 350 lbs... Read More

    Obesity and Weight Loss Surgery

    Let's face facts; obesity is ripe today in America and... Read More

    5 Simple Steps to Start Your Weight Loss Program

    Remember there's more to you than meets the eye. You've... Read More

    Weightloss Supplements - How Weightloss Patches & Diet Pills Can Control Your Appetite

    All of us that have had a love-hate relationship with... Read More

    Hypnosis for Weight Control - Why Diets Dont Provide a Long-Term Solution

    One of the difficulties with dieting is the well known... Read More

    Walk Your Way to Weight Loss

    "The sovereign invigorator of the body is exercise, and of... Read More

    Pushing Gastric Bypass: When to Talk, When to Keep Quiet

    Sharing our bariatric stories is as personal decision as electing... Read More

    After WLS: How Much Weight Have You Lost?

    I had lost nearly fifty pounds before anyone mentioned my... Read More

    Dietary Recommendations After Gastric Bypass Surgery

    When obesity gets out of hand, unresponsive to dietary, lifestyle... Read More

    Obesity and Morbid Obesity ? Is Gastric Bypass Surgery Right For You

    The very first thing you want to do before you... Read More

    Eat What You Like and Still Lose Weight

    Did you say there's a way I can eat what... Read More

    Does Ephedra Really Shed the Pounds Like It Promises? I Decided to Put It to the Test!

    Since the reintroduction of Ephedra based products on about April... Read More

    20 Ways to Lose Weight

    20 WAYS TO LOSE WEIGHT1. Take it one step at... Read More

    Diet Preparaton -- The Impact of Sleep and Stress

    When you have started a diet in the past, how... Read More

    The Secret to Reaching Your Ideal Weight

    There are many books and internet articles written about weight... Read More

    An Interesting Look at Mini Gastric Bypass Surgery

    Gastric bypass surgery has many forms and can involve stapling... Read More