Salt

KahuNZ

FYI - (From the New Zealand Herald)

Trying to cut down on salt? Health officials have come up with a list of the top 10 sources of salt in the American diet - and bread is number one.

The Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says just 10 foods account for 44 per cent of the sodium in the American diet. Salt is the main source of sodium, which increases the risk of high blood pressure.

Bread and rolls topped the list. They aren't actually saltier than other foods, but a CDC official says people tend to eat a lot of bread. Deli meats, pizza and poultry were also leading sources.

Health officials say salt should be limited to about a teaspoon a day but most Americans eat more.

Top 10 biggest contributors of salt to American diets according to the CDC:

1. Bread and rolls
2. Deli meats
3. Pizza
4. Poultry products (such as chicken nuggets and patties)
5. Soups
6. Cheeseburgers and other sandwiches
7. Cheese
8. Pasta
9. Meat dishes
10. Snack foods like pretzels, chips and popcorn