Most foods we eat contain too much sodium.

Salt and Sodium: Get the Facts!

August 1, 2013 by HealthyFamilies BC

We all need some sodium but most of us eat about 3400 mg of sodium per day.

This is more than double the amount we need for good health.

Eating too much sodium can cause high blood pressure, stroke, heart disease and kidney disease. Healthy adults need only 1500 mg of sodium per day. Healthy children need only 1000-1500 mg of sodium per day. Most foods we eat contain too much sodium.

Sodium 101:

Sodium is found in salt.
All types of salt have high sodium.
It's the sodium in salt that can be harmful to our health.

Learn From The Label

If you buy pre-packaged food you will see that each package has been labelled with a Nutrition Facts table. Nutrition labels contain important information about the nutritional content of food. Most high sodium foods are those that are pre-packaged.

The information on the Healthy Eating pages of the Healthy Families BC website is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to replace medical advice, diagnosis or treatment from a physician or other qualified healthcare professional.

Previous Next

All types of salt, and many processed foods, are high in sodium

Sodium 101

High sodium foods are not difficult to find. Packaged foods, ready-to-eat foods, fast foods and restaurant meals often have high sodium levels, even if they don't seem to taste salty.

What are Healthy Drinks?

Here are some healthy tips on how to use the nutrition label to learn more about your drinks, and what kind of sugar might be added.

Sugary Drinks and Your Health

Healthy eating patterns are set during childhood and the teen years. So start early to promote healthy food choices and regular physical activity.

Food Safety - Store it Right

Meal planning and careful shopping takes time and effort, so once you have made your purchases, you'll want to maximize their nutritional value and freshness.

The Dairy Case - Bone Up on Calcium

One in four Canadian women and one in eight men have osteoporosis, a condition where bones get thinner and break easily. Reduce your risk of osteoporosis by ensuring you're getting enough bone-building minerals.

Plan Low Sodium Meals

Learn how to plan and prepare low sodium meals your family will love. These easy ideas will help to reduce your overall salt intake. Planning low sodium meals are easier than you think.

What Makes Vegetables and Fruit So Special?

They’re usually low in fat and calories but high in nutrients. Eating vegetables and fruit can help you achieve and maintain a healthy body weight.

The Health Effects of High Sodium

It's commonly known that eating too much sodium can result in high blood pressure, but did you know that the amount of sodium you consume can affect your overall heart health too?

The Produce Section - Colour Your World

Most British Columbians, including children, don’t get enough vegetables and fruits. Eating Well with Canada's Food Guide recommends 7-10 servings per day for adults. Children and teens need 4-8 servings per day.

Tips to Lower Sodium

Most of us eat about 3400 mg of sodium per day. This is more than double the amount we need for good health.

Facts About Sugar in Drinks

Have you ever wondered what energy drinks are and if they are a healthy drink? Take this quiz to get the facts on how much sugar you may be drinking.

Sugary Drinks - How much sugar are you drinking?

Calories from sugar in drinks can add up quickly. Hover your mouse over each beverage to find out how much added sugar is in common sugary drinks. Remember: Limit added sugar per day to 13 tsp or less from all sources.

Sugary Drinks - Less is Best

Sugary drinks are full of calories and don't provide the nutrients your body needs to perform at its best.

Planning - Get Organized. Plan Ahead. Make a List

What’s for dinner? At the end of a long day when you're harried, hurried and your family is hungry, that’s not a question you want to hear - especially if you're asking yourself the same question!

Learn From the Label

Did you know that 75 per cent of the sodium we eat comes from processed foods? Reading the label on packaged foods is a key factor in making healthier food choices.

Manage Your Email Subscriptions:

Get the latest on your favourite healthy living topics sent directly to your inbox. Subscribe to our HealthyFamilies BC newsletter where you will receive up-to-date information on healthy living. Interested in receiving information on a specific topic? Click on the topic(s) in the list below that interest you. You may change your subscription preferences at any time.

General Newsletter

Want to increase your food skills? Receive information, tips and tools to learn how to choose and enjoy nutritious foods.

Positive changes can be made at any age. Receive information about lifestyle supports including those around alcohol and tobacco.

Getting started or staying active? Receive tips, tools and guidelines so you can learn how to fit physical activity into your daily life.

As your child grows you will have questions along the way. Receive information you can trust from pregnancy and the early years.

: testing newsletter

Healthy Families BC

Salt and Sodium: Get the Facts!

Sodium 101:

Learn From The Label

The information on the Healthy Eating pages of the Healthy Families BC website is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to replace medical advice, diagnosis or treatment from a physician or other qualified healthcare professional.

Topic

HealthyFamilies BC Tools

Breastfeeding Buddy

Sodium Sense

Shopping Sense

Sugary Drink Sense

Manage Your Email Subscriptions:

Search Google Appliance

You are here

Salt and Sodium: Get the Facts!

The information on the Healthy Eating pages of the Healthy Families BC website is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to replace medical advice, diagnosis or treatment from a physician or other qualified healthcare professional.

Related

Topic

HealthyFamilies BC Tools

Breastfeeding Buddy

Sodium Sense

Shopping Sense

Sugary Drink Sense

Manage Your Email Subscriptions: