Prevention of diseases usually starts from watching out for what we eat. Did you know that heart disease is the number one killer within the US? A healthy diet with less amounts of sodium can prevent one from developing heart disease complications. It pains when most Americans out there consume high amounts of sodium in their diet.
The ideal amount of sodium that an adult should consume each day is 2300 milligrams – which is equivalent to a teaspoon of salt. But, did you know that most people in the United States consume around 3,400 milligrams every day?
Restaurant and pre-packaged foods contribute much of the sodium which is consumed – little comes from what is added as sprinkled salt on our tables. As confirmed by FDA, commercially manufactured foods contribute over 70% of the total sodium intake. It is also worth to note that it is not possible to remove or reduce the amounts of sodium from the commercially prepared foods.
It makes sense why the FDA is targeting foods manufacturers in its hope to reduce the amount of sodium in consumed products. They are targeting to reduce the consumed amount of sodium to around 3,000 milligrams per day, which will be a reduction from the daily intake of 3,400 milligrams. This target is meant to be achieved in the next two and half years. Though the ideal amount of 2,300 milligrams per day will not have been achieved, at least it will be close to it.
It should be remembered that this is only a proposal from the FDA to restaurants and food manufacturers. They may decide to ignore the recommendation, but it is the hope of the FDA that they will take it seriously and make the necessary changes. The whole thing will be done in a way that customers will not be able to notice a change of taste.
The American Frozen Food Institute also released a statement explaining that their members are making strides to reducing sodium amounts in foods and at the same time providing products that meet the demands of consumers. The National Restaurant Association has also confirmed working on the same lines.
Do you appreciate the necessity to reduce the amount sodium in foods? Will you be put off by a taste difference, that’s if there will be any?