02 07 2011

Cutting Back on Salt

Comments are closed Posted by Audra Losey, MS, RD

If you’ve paid attention to the news lately, you have probably heard that that we need to cut back on the amount of salt we eat. If you’re not sure how to realistically reduce your sodium intake, here are a few resources to get you started. Below is a link to a video from the American Dietetic Association explaining how to cut back on the salt in your family’s diet.

Cutting Back on Salt in Your Family’s Diet

How much do you really know about salt? Test your knowledge…

To find the answers and more facts about reducing the salt in your diet, visit:

http://food.unl.edu/web/fnh/salt-savvy

1) Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2010 recommend people ages 2 and older reduce daily sodium intake to less than:

a. 2,300 mg or 1,500 mg, depending on age / other individual characteristics
b. 2,300 mg or 3,000 mg, depending on age / other individual characteristics
c. 3,000 mg or 3,400 mg, depending on age / other individual characteristics

2) What is the approximate average daily sodium intake for persons age 2 and up in the United States?

a. 800 mg
b. 1,500 mg
c. 2,300 mg
d. 3,400 mg

3) Which of the following are benefits from reducing the amount of sodium in our diets?

a. Lowered blood pressure
b. Reduced risk of heart disease
c. Reduced risk of stroke
d. Reduced risk of gastric cancer
e. All of the above

4) Approximately how much of our sodium comes from processed foods?

a. 45%
b. 55%
c. 65%
d. 75%

5) How much sodium is in a teaspoon of salt?

a. 1,300 mg
b. 2,300 mg
c. 3,300 mg

6) Can foods can be high in salt without tasting salty?

a. Yes
b. No

7) Based on the Nutrition Facts label at right, how much sodium is in 1 cup of the food?