Here’s a postscript to last week’s post on sodium and heart health.  On Monday, ABC Health News reported that those cute cans of Campbell’s soup - you know, the ones with the kids’ characters on the can - are getting a little healthier:  “Campbell’s Lowering Sodium in Kids Soups” (by Geoff Mulvihill, Feb 18, 2008).

Now these 12 Campbell’s soups will have 480 milligrams of sodium per serving - a reduction of 20% from its current levels.  And, the sodium levels in those same soups were previously reduced by 25% two years ago.  Hard to imagine the amount of sodium in one little Dora can of soup before!  

The company can now officially label the cans as “healthy” - and that can of soup will represent 20% of the recommended daily intake of sodium per day for children (2,400 mg of sodium for adults or children 4 and older, according to FDA daily values.)  It’s a step in the right direction, I suppose!

The more we discuss the importance of healthy nutrition - especially for our children - the more it consumer goods companies will feed pressured to improve their products, according to a related story on ABC Health (”Food Makers Pressured to Cut Sodium“). 

The chart on sources of sodium in our diet included with this article was really eye-opening, showing how “cooking from scratch can slash those [sodium] numbers.”  Home cooking represents a modest 5% of daily sodium intake in Americans, with a whopping 77% coming from restaurant and processed foods. 

Just another reason to feel good about that Let’s Dish! meal you’re serving tonight!

  
p.s. As I finished up this post, the AP released a health news article on more detrimental effects of sodium:  “Salty Snacks Mean More Sodas for Kids” (AP, Feb 20, 2008).   A British study published in an American Heart Association journal suggests that cutting salt could curb obesity, especially in children.  After eating sodium-laden processed foods like fast food and salty snacks, kids turn to high-calorie sodas - an unhealthy cycle that can lead to obesity.  

> Read the journal report
> Visit the American Heart Association website.