Dietitians of Canada

Sodium reduction

Background

The average Canadian takes in 3400 mg of sodium per day. This is more than twice as much sodium as is needed for good health. Men, women and children are equally at risk for high sodium intakes. High intake of sodium increases the risk of high blood pressure. This can lead to heart disease, stroke and kidney disease. High sodium intake has also been linked to osteoporosis, stomach cancer and asthma.

Position

Dietitians are committed to helping Canadians reduce their sodium intake. DC is a member of the Sodium Working Group [SWG], a national group tasked with finding a strategy to reduce the sodium intake of Canadians. The SWG includes members from government, the scientific and health professional community, health-focused and consumer non-government organizations, and the food industry. The SWG has recommended a population health strategy for reducing sodium intake among Canadians. It involves three equally important parts:

• A structured voluntary reduction of sodium levels in processed food products and foods sold in restaurants and other food services. About 77% of sodium in foods comes from processed products.
• Education and awareness for consumers, industry, health professionals and other key stakeholders. We want to provide consumers with the education and tools they need to take an active role in reducing their sodium intake and demanding more foods to be available that are lower in sodium. Some food manufacturers have already taken steps to lower the sodium content of processed foods but more needs to be done.
• Research to find acceptable options to sodium in foods. Sodium is an important ingredient, not just for taste, but also for food safety, texture and structure of foods.
  

Dietitians also advise Canadians to take other steps to promote healthy blood pressure:

• Achieve and maintain a healthy weight
• Follow Canada’s Food Guide
• Have more vegetables, fruit, whole grains, high fibre foods and low-fat milk products
• Limit alcohol
• Stay active

Action

• DC was one of 16 signatories to a National Sodium Policy spearheaded by Blood Pressure Canada almost 3 years ago.
• We are a member of the Working Group on Sodium Reduction that has outlined a national strategy to reduce the population average sodium intake from 3400 mg to 2300 mg by 2016. The ultimate goal is to lower sodium intake for 95% of the population below 2300 mg. per day.
• Dietitians are working to help Canadians lower sodium intake and achieve healthier lifestyles overall. We are supporting the school community and workplaces to develop nutrition guidelines, including lower sodium content of foods served and advocating for nutrition labelling on restaurant menus to aid consumers in making better choices.
• Dietitian researchers studied consumers’ understanding of sodium and its effect on health.*
• We have made many resouces and tools available to health professionals and consumers on our public website that promote label reading, aid the assessment of regular eating and activity habits, help consumers modify their favourite recipes to reduce sodium and fat and increase fibre without sacrificing good taste.
• We link consumers with dietitians to support their goals toward achieving and maintaining good health

*Canadian Foundation for Dietetic Research grant