The Heart Foundation has released a new position statement on salt and heart health, serving as an important reminder that Kiwis need to be conscious of the amount of salt they consume. People who follow a diet with less salt have a 26 percent lower risk of heart disease and a 21 percent lower risk of high blood pressure than those who do not.
“Given the rise in the cost of fresh foods, many of us are relying on packaged foods now more than ever. Around 75 percent of the salt we eat is hidden in processed and packaged foods, and it’s easy to eat more than we need,” said Lily Henderson, Heart Foundation National Nutrition Advisor.
“The sodium content per 100g can vary greatly between similar products. Small swaps at the supermarket, like switching to a lower-salt sauce, can make a big difference and often won’t cost you any extra. You’ll get the greatest benefit to your heart health if you swap products that you buy and eat often.”
It is recommended that adults consume 5g of salt per day, but the average Kiwi adult consumes 8.5g.
“The good news is you can gradually ease off the salt and retrain your taste buds to enjoy less. Start with one lower salt product or use less salt in a dish you make often, and you may surprise yourself. Use ingredients like dried herbs, spices, lemon, vinegar, chilli, and olive oil in your cooking to help to deliver plenty of flavours.”
Recipe ideas can be found on the Heart Foundation’s website.
