Some foods are surprisingly high in salt

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An analysis in the January issue of Consumer Reports shows how difficult it is to avoid excess salt in the diet. The report analyzed 37 grocery store products and found large amounts of salt in foods that don’t necessarily taste salty.

Excess dietary salt is of growing concern to healthcare providers, as was detailed in a story featured last month in the Los Angeles Times’ Health section. Too much salt can increase the risk of high blood pressure, asthma, kidney stones, osteoporosis and stomach cancer. According to the American Medical Assn., a 50% reduction in dietary sodium intake could save 150,000 lives a year. Many experts are calling for federal legislation to lower salt content in foods. Dietary guidelines recommend a daily intake of sodium of no more than 2,300 milligrams a day in health adults -- about one teaspoon. But many Americans consume double that amount. People with hypertension should limit sodium intake to 1,500 milligrams a day.

The Consumer Reports analysis shows that lower-fat foods can be higher in salt than similar full-fat foods in order to compensate for the flavor that is lost when the fat is removed. Moreover, foods people perceive as healthy are often too high in salt. For example, a cup of Kellogg’s Raisin Bran contains 350 milligrams of sodium. A half-cup of Friendship 1% low-fat cottage cheese has 360 mg. A Pepperidge Farm whole grain white bagel has 440 milligrams. McDonald’s premium Caesar salad with grilled chicken has 890 milligrams without dressing.

The full report and a guide to choosing low-sodium foods can be found at www.ConsumerReportsHealth.org.

-- Shari Roan