Focus on Sodium

Canadians consume more than twice the amount of sodium we need each day, putting us at risk for high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke and kidney disease. B.C. residents have among the highest sodium intakes in the country.

According to the 2004 Canadian Community Health Survey, Canadians consume 3,100 milligrams (mg) of sodium each day on top of the salt we add to our food. As adults, we need only 1500 mg of sodium each day to be healthy and to maintain a proper fluid balance in our bodies.

Most of the sodium we consume is found in processed and packaged foods--not from the salt we add to our foods. So it's very easy for us to get too much of sodium without even knowing it. In fact, 77 per cent of our dietary sodium comes from processed and packaged foods, 12 per cent comes from natural sources such as milk and vegetables and another 11 per cent comes from salt we add to our food.

Pizza, sandwiches, submarines, burgers and hot dogs account for almost 20% of Canada’s sodium consumption. Other significant sources include soups, canned foods, condiments (such as ketchup) and pickled foods.

More: Facts on sodium visit Sodium 101 – the Canadian Stroke Network’s website.