Eating too much salt can cause high blood pressure. Adults in the UK eat too much salt. A safe amount of salt is 6 grams per day which is about a teaspoonful. At the moment, adults eat about 8 grams per day, which is almost double what they should eat.
How much salt is safe for children?
- Aged 4-6 years old, about half a teaspoon per day (3 grams),
- Aged 7-10 years old, a bit less than a teaspoon per day (5 grams),
- Aged 11+, about a teaspoon per day (6 grams).
Foods that are often high in salt
Try to eat smaller amounts of these or have them less often:
- Anchovies;
- Bacon and salami;
- Cheese;
- Gravy granules;
- Ham;
- Olives;
- Pickles;
- Salted and dry roasted nuts;
- Salt fish;
- Smoked meat and fish;
- Soy sauce;
- Stock cubes.
Foods where some brands / recipes are high in salt
Compare the labels on similar food and choose ones lower in salt:
- Bread products such as crumpets, bagels and ciabatta;
- Pasta sauces;
- Crisps;
- Pizza;
- Ready meals;
- Canned or carton soup;
- Sandwiches;
- Sausages;
- Tomato ketchup, mayonnaise and other sauces.
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