An American Heart Association study published yesterday shows most toddlers are getting too much salt that comes primarily from pre-packaged snacks. Busy mothers know how hard it is to get food into toddlers who are on the run, but most of those snacks designed for kids age 1 to 3 are way too high in sodium.
The research that was presented at the American Heart Association’s Epidemiology and Prevention/Nutrition, Physical Activity and Metabolism 2013 Scientific Sessions took a close look at 1,115 products for babies and toddlers using information on major and private label brands from data compiled by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
The study is the first to look at sodium content in infant and toddler foods. The findings showed toddler meals had higher amounts of salt than infant food. Anything over 210 mg per serving was considered high. Some of the sodium content was as high as 630 mg; found in savory snacks and meals for toddlers.
Why limit salt in a child’s diet?
The concern, the researchers say is that giving high sodium snacks and meals to toddlers can set the stage for a lifetime of poor health that comes from high blood pressure; then cardiovascular disease.
A second concern is that once a toddler develops a taste for the seasoning the habit may be hard to break later in life.
Joyce Maalouf, M.S., M.P.H., ORISE, lead author and Fellow at the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, Georgia recommended in a press release that parents read food labels to ensure children are receiving the healthiest food options.
Hidden sources of salt include anything with the word sodium in front of it including sodium nitrite, sodium benzoate, breads, rolls, sodium bicarbonate, baking soda and sodium alginate found in milk and ice cream.
The recommendation for toddlers and adults alike is to consume no more than 1500 mg of sodium daily to maintain optimal cardiovascular health.
Researchers are now advocating for public health policies that can help get sodium out of our diets.
According to the CDC, most salt comes from prepared, canned and pre-packaged foods that could be modified by changing our food environment.
The next time you reach for a snack on the grocery shelf, look at the label for sodium content. Salt is necessary for optimal cellular function, but too much for your child can set the stage for heart risks later in life.
Source: AHA/ASA Newsroom