SALT: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

SALT: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Our latest article in our nutrition series looks at the science behind salt. There is often a lot of hate towards salt in the media, blaming mass-production for increasing salt levels in our diets. But what are the facts?

Many of us in the UK eat too much salt. According to the NHS, 75% of our salt intake is found in day-to-day foods such as bread, cereals and ready meals. Adding salt to our meals simply increases our already-high intake.

So, what are the figures?

– Our recommended daily salt intake should not exceed 6g.

– On food labels, more than 1.5g of salt per 100g would be classed as ‘high’, with anything below 0.3g per 100g being a ‘low’ salt content.

– Recent research by the National Institute for Heath and Care Excellence (NICE) proposes that by 2025, an adult’s maximum salt intake should be reduced from 6g to 3g.

What foods to avoid?

There are some key foods to avoid when trying to cut down on salt intake. Ready meals are an obvious culprit, along with bacon, cheese and smoked meat and fish. Some foods that can vary in salt levels include pasta sauces, sausages and cereals. It’s important that you take notice of the labels on food packaging.

The Health Risks

A diet which is high in salt often leads to a high blood pressure, consequently leading to a higher risk of developing heart disease. Cutting down on your salt intake dramatically reduces a person’s risk of developing this.

Our Diet

We promote the Paleo Diet which we believe is an optimal diet to which we have genetically adapted to. This diet stays away from dairy and processed foods and focuses on the inclusion of grass-produced meats and fresh veg in the diet.

At Fitness Matters, not only do we offer a private one-to-one personal training service, we also offer complete lifestyle coaching and nutritional advice too. Want to improve your diet and cut out the salt? Get in touch today for a chat.