PHILIPPA’S TOP TIPS FOR SALT IN YOUR DIET

Cutting back can really make a difference to your health

◆ We all use salt, and probably far too much of it – after all, it makes food taste good!

◆ It is important to recognise that your body needs the sodium, found in salt, in order to function. Sodium has various roles in the body from being involved in fluid balance to blood pressure and muscle and nerve function.

◆ It isn’t correct to say that all salt is terrible for your health and that you shouldn’t eat any at all.

◆ However, most people are eating too much salt. This comes with health risks, as high levels of salt in your diet are linked to high blood pressure. Having high blood pressure is then a risk factor for heart disease and strokes.

◆ UK guidance suggests that the maximum recommended amount of salt an adult should eat a day is 6 grams, or about a teaspoon.

◆ It is thought that if the average salt intake was reduced from around 8g to 6g, more than 8000 deaths of people under the age of 70 could be prevented.

◆ Initially you may notice if you have less salt in the diet, but over time your taste buds become re-trained so you can enjoy lower salt foods.

◆ High levels of salt are found in many processed foods, so try to limit these. If you do eat them, look for those labelled “no added salt”, “no added sodium” or “reduced salt”. You can also compare the nutrition labels on the cans between similar foods. For example fish canned in salt water, or brine, is likely to have more salt than that canned in water or oil.

◆ If you cook at home then reduce the amount of salt you use, and flavour your food with herbs and spices. If you do use salt, add it during cooking and not at the table, where you are likely to use more.

◆ Avoid foods which are high in salt, such as cured meats like bacon.

◆ Remember that high blood pressure generally doesn’t cause any symptoms, so you wouldn’t necessarily know that you had it.