| Consumers need to be aware of hidden sodium in | | | | brands containing double the sodium of others. When |
| processed foods. Many of us try to take a healthy | | | | purchasing vegetarian meat substitutes it is wise to |
| approach to our diets but are caught by hidden sodium. | | | | compare the products between brands and to |
| We need to check the nutritional information on all | | | | observe the sodium content. Although we only need a |
| products including the so-called health foods. | | | | tiny amount, sodium is essential to our health because it |
| Vegetarian meat substitutes are often very high in | | | | helps to maintain the balance of fluids in our body, |
| sodium. Just two vegetarian sausages can contain as | | | | helps transmit nerve impulses and influences the |
| much sodium as two and a half bags of forty-five | | | | contraction and relaxation of muscles. |
| gram chips. The National Health and Medical Research | | | | On average, we get about 77% of our sodium from |
| Council suggested dietary target for adults is 1600mg | | | | hidden sources like processed foods. We do not need |
| of sodium or 4 grams of salt a day. A McDonald's | | | | to add salt to our cooking or meals at the table if we |
| standard hamburger has lower sodium levels than | | | | eat many processed foods. Excess sodium can |
| some of the meat-free burgers available. The | | | | cause health problems like high blood pressure, leading |
| McDonald's nutritional chart shows a hamburger has | | | | to stroke and heart attack. The kidneys try to process |
| 491mg of sodium. A red lentil burger can contain | | | | the excess sodium and can become overworked |
| 538mg per serve. This is a third of the recommended | | | | leading to kidney disease. If you are over fifty or have |
| daily sodium intake. | | | | diabetes, you are in the high-risk category and should |
| Sodium levels vary between brands, with some | | | | aim for the lower end of the healthy intake range. |